Call of Duty
Our age is 17. Take care because of M-rated violence and voice chat with adult strangers.
Setup steps checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- Take care
- Plays on
- PlayStation, Xbox, Windows, Nintendo Switch
- Setup
- 6 stops, about 10 minutes
Do these three first
- Set your console's age and spending limitsConsole settings can block M-rated games, limit chat and cap spending.
- Limit voice chat to party or friendsSettingsAudioVoice ChatSet Game Chat Voice to Party Only or Friends Only, or turn voice chat off.
- Turn off text chatSettingsAccount & NetworkText ChatSet Text Chat to Disabled or My Chat Channels Only.
Understand Call of Duty's mature content, set up Activision parental controls, manage voice chat and communication, and make informed decisions about this M-rated franchise.
Talk about it
- Which friends do you want to play with, and in which modes?Tells you whether this is about the campaign, Zombies or online matches, and lets you set chat around the real group.
- What would you do if someone in a lobby started saying awful things?Gets mute, block and leaving the lobby agreed before it happens, so it isn't a big deal when it does.
- How do you feel after a few rounds, wound up or relaxed?Opens a calm check-in on how the violence and the competition are landing, without turning it into a test.
- What do you want to buy this season, and how should we handle it?Turns battle passes and bundles into a budget you agree on, instead of a stream of requests.
The full route: 6 stops, about 10 minutes
- Approve your teen’s Activision account
- Limit voice chat to party or friends
- Turn off text chat
- Check for a graphic content filteroptional
- Set your console's age and spending limits
- Check that it works
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The full guide
Call of Duty is one of the most popular video game franchises, particularly among teens and young adults. As an M-rated (Mature 17+) game, it contains realistic violence and requires careful consideration before allowing younger players.
Call of Duty features realistic military combat, graphic violence, disturbing war imagery, and toxic online voice chat. Consider carefully whether your child is ready for this content.
Understanding Call of Duty
The newest release is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, out October 23, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 (pre-orders unlock the campaign a week early). It is not on Xbox Game Pass at launch. Black Ops 7 (November 2025) is still widely played, and the free-to-play Warzone runs alongside both.
Game Modes
- Campaign: Single-player story mode with war scenarios
- Multiplayer: Online competitive matches against others
- Warzone: Free-to-play battle royale (standalone)
- Zombies: Cooperative wave survival mode
Why It's Rated M
- Realistic military violence
- Blood and gore
- Disturbing war imagery
- Strong language
- Online interactions with adults
Why Teens Want to Play
- Friends are playing
- Popular streamers play it
- Competitive gameplay
- Social aspect of online play
- Cultural relevance
Making the Decision
Questions to Consider
- Is your child mature enough for realistic violence?
- Can they handle toxic voice chat from strangers?
- Will they follow your rules about play time?
- Do they understand game violence isn't real?
- Are you comfortable with the content?
Alternatives for Younger Players
- Fortnite: Cartoon-style battle royale (T)
- Splatoon: Kid-friendly shooter (E10+)
- Apex Legends: Less graphic shooter (T)
- Overwatch 2: Team-based shooter (T)
If You Decide to Allow It
Activision Account and Parent Consent
Every Activision account now needs a date of birth. If the birth date shows your child needs a parent's consent, the account is suspended until you approve it from the email Activision sends you (new accounts have 14 days, existing accounts 120 days). While an account needs consent, voice and text chat may be set to Off in games that have them.
Activision doesn't have a separate parent dashboard. Chat is set inside each game, and the console's own parental controls can override those in-game settings.
In-Game Settings
These are the menu names in Black Ops 7. Modern Warfare 4 and Warzone use a similar layout, but check the menu in the game your child plays.
Voice Chat
- Voice Chat: turn it off to stop hearing and speaking to other players
- Game Chat Voice: choose Party Only or Friends Only instead of All Lobby
Open lobby voice chat in Call of Duty is often rough. Limiting it to a party or friends keeps your child talking with people they know.
Proximity Chat, Body Shield Chat and Last Words Voice Chat only work when Game Chat Voice is set to All Lobby, so Party Only or Friends Only switches those off too.
Text Chat
Options are Enabled, My Chat Channels Only, and Disabled.
Mute and Block
- Mute a player: open the scoreboard (View on Xbox, touchpad on PlayStation, Tab on PC), highlight the player and choose Toggle Mute. Mutes reset each play session.
- Block a player: from the scoreboard, choose View Profile then Block Player. Blocked players are listed under Settings › Account & Network.
Graphic Content
Some Call of Duty games have a Content Filter section in Settings with a graphic content option. It reduces some gore, is not in every game, and doesn't change what other players say.
Platform Parental Controls
Use your console's parental controls alongside in-game settings:
PlayStation
- Set content restriction to block M-rated games
- Restrict communication to friends only
- Set play time limits
Xbox
- Set to Teen or lower to block M-rated games
- Configure communication settings
- Enable screen time limits
Nintendo Switch 2
Modern Warfare 4 is also on Switch 2. Use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to set an age rating limit, restrict communication and set play time.
PC (Battle.net/Steam)
Use Microsoft Family Safety:
- Block specific applications
- Set screen time limits
- See weekly activity reports
Warzone (Free-to-Play)
Additional Concerns
Warzone is free, meaning:
- No purchase barrier
- Easy to download without permission
- Same mature content as main game
Warzone Parental Controls
Warzone uses the same Activision account, so the same parent consent and in-game chat settings apply. Open Warzone's settings once and check voice and text chat there as well.
Spending Controls
In-Game Purchases
Call of Duty includes:
- Battle Pass ($10 per season)
- Cosmetic bundles ($10-30)
- Weapon blueprints
- Character skins
Preventing Purchases
- Store account: Don't store payment methods on the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Battle.net or Steam account
- Platform level: Enable purchase restrictions
- Gift cards: Use for controlled spending
Voice Chat Reality
What Your Child May Hear
- Extreme profanity
- Racial and homophobic slurs
- Sexual comments
- Harassment and bullying
- Adult conversations
Voice Chat Best Practices
- Mute strangers: Play with voice chat off except friends
- Private party chat: Use platform party chat instead of in-game
- Don't engage: Teach to ignore rather than respond to toxic players
- Report: Report harassment through the game
Content Warnings by Mode
Campaign
- Intense war violence
- Disturbing scenarios (torture, terrorism)
- Strong language throughout
- Emotional/traumatic content
Multiplayer
- Fast-paced shooting
- Death animations
- Blood effects
- Toxic voice chat
Zombies
- Horror elements
- Gore and dismemberment
- Jump scares
Time Management
Addictive Elements
- Battle Pass progression
- Daily/weekly challenges
- Limited-time events
- Competitive ranking
Set Clear Limits
Use platform parental controls for time limits:
- Weekday maximum
- Weekend allowance
- Breaks between sessions
Age-Based Approach
We suggest Call of Duty for 17 and up. If your child already plays younger, these are the settings to tighten for their age.
Ages 14-16 (If Considering)
If you decide to allow underage play:
- Campaign only (no online)
- Voice chat completely off
- Strict time limits
- Regular conversations about content
- Check in on how they're sleeping and feeling
- Consider waiting
Ages 17+
- Enable age-appropriate settings
- Friends-only communication
- Discuss online behavior
- Set reasonable time limits
- Open dialogue about experiences
Quick Setup Checklist
If You Decide Against It
Having the Conversation
- "I know your friends play it, but I don't think you're ready yet"
- "The content is designed for adults, not teens"
- "Let's find something we can both feel good about"
- "We can revisit this when you're older"
Enforcing the Decision
- Use platform parental controls to block M-rated games
- Expect workarounds (a friend's house, a free Warzone download) and talk about them ahead of time
- Stay firm but understanding
- Offer alternatives
Additional Resources
Call of Duty is designed for adults. If you choose to allow it, the settings above will help reduce some risks, but the core content remains mature.