Call of Duty

Call of Duty: Mobile is a first-person multiplayer battle game which can be played on iOS, Android devices as well as using a web browser. It is the latest mobile version from the Call of Duty franchise, which has a range of other Call of Duty games available on popular games consoles. In this mobile version, players compete against others online using realistic military-style weapons and tactics to complete missions.

Games can be played in teams, in the ‘Multiplayer’ mode, or players can compete to be the last one standing in a ‘Battle Royale’. The game is fast paced, realistic and has blood splatter as well as other forms of graphic violence during game play.

Official age rating

This is a PEGI 18 Game.

Call of Duty: Mobile has an adult PEGI rating due to the level and nature of violence in the game. The game can often require motiveless killing or violence towards defenceless characters. This age rating is also awarded due to the more realistic-looking violence and the use of bad language.

The App Store and Google Play give this a Mature 17+ rating, however it doesn’t have any vigorous age verification methods.

Find out more about age ratings in our A parent and carer’s guide to age ratings of apps and games.

How children and young people use the app

Call of Duty: Mobile is an action-packed and competitive game in which players are transported to different places, circumstances and missions. To succeed in the game, you must develop your shooting skills and strategic thinking to tactically meet your objectives. Users often play with or against their friends as well as strangers. During loadout, players are able to customise their characters, perks and weapons (including a primary weapon, a secondary weapon and grenades).

The game also provides storytelling from a first-person perspective that makes the game realistic and allows users to effectively roleplay as military persons with power.

Key features and terminology

This mode allows you to play with other people. This can either be with selected friends or with other players you may not know.
This mode allows up to 100 players to fight to be the last one standing.
The chat function allows players to communicate with each other. This can be done in three ways: ‘World’ (which is public), with ‘Friends’ or within your ‘Clan’ (which is your team).
A ‘Clan’ is a group of players who join up to play the game together to complete tasks and missions. Clans can be made up of players you know, but also players you don’t.
This allows players time to select their perks, weapons and ‘operator skill’ before joining a match.
Special enhanced skills and weapons that can be used to make a comeback or at particular moments in the game.
This allows players to modify and upgrade their weapons.
‘Scorestreaks’ are the rewards players earn for playing well. They can vary from weapons to skills to help them proceed. Once your character is killed, your ‘scorestreak’ resets. Whilst they can be earnt, they can also be purchased within the game.
The most recent paid-for version of Call of Duty.
An in-game reward system similar to ‘scorestreaks’. ‘Killstreaks’ are scores given to players regarding the number of kills a player has achieved consecutively before being killed themselves.
These allow players the chance to gain additional content and chances to level up. Players can either get free battle passes through completing challenges or levels, or they can be purchased using real money. Paid-for battle passes give players the chance to earn exclusive content unavailable to other players.
These are features of the game that are refreshed both daily and weekly that reward players for achieving specific statistics.

Potential risks

Content

Call of Duty: Mobile is a highly violent game which is reflected in the age rating it has been given. The animation of the game is quite realistic and includes blood splatters when players are killed. Players are also exposed to a range of realistic military-style weapons. Whilst the game features some bad language, players are also exposed to bad language and mature content through the live user interaction and chat functions. Despite having profanity filters in place, the chat still allows inappropriate language to occur therefore, it should not be solely relied on as a means to avoid exposure to inappropriate content. By playing with friends, rather than strangers, your child is less likely to experience language or behaviour that is not suitable for their age. However, it should be acknowledged that your child may still be exposed to inappropriate content by their known contacts.

Connecting with others

This game is designed to be played as a multi-player game with friends or strangers online. It is possible to play within games and matches which place you at random with a group of other players. Gaming platforms such as Call of Duty can make it easier for strangers to make connections with each other due to their shared interest in the game. Some players may feel they have developed friendships via the platform and share their other social media profiles to connect. Remind users that they should not share their personal information with people they do not know on the platform. It is worth noting that you can play Call of Duty Mobile with a set group of friends. Information on how to do this can be found in the ‘Managing interactions and content’ section of this guide. The game includes the option to chat online either through voice chat or written text. It is also worth noting that some gamers use third party chatting apps like Discord to chat whilst gaming. For players who want to live-stream their chat to their friends, its useful to remind them that when they are online they leave a digital footprint and that anything they say can be captured and shared both now and in the future.

Design, data and costs

As with many multiplayer games, Call of Duty can be immersive for players and the player experience can be overwhelming, which can result in extended stints of gameplay.

Players may feel pressure to continue playing when they are completing missions within a team or clan. Encourage players to take time-out from playing where possible. There are also ‘Limitedvents’ available on the platform, which may encourage some players to spend more time and money on the platform to try and complete a mission before it becomes unavailable. Talk to your child about working together to develop strategies to help manage their time on the platform.

As this game is free to download, it relies on in-game purchases to create revenue. It’s important to understand that real money is used to make in-app purchases within the game. You can also set the relevant in-app purchase settings on the device. It is also important to check that the game is not unknowingly linked to bank cards or financial details. It should be noted that the game can still be played without the need to purchase additional items.

Tips for keeping your child safe

As this has an adult age rating, there are very few parental controls and settings available for this game. Instead, you will need to look at the settings on the individual mobile device to put controls in place.
To set to ‘Private’ on iOS:
- go to the ‘Game Centre’ in the settings menu on your iPhone
- scroll down to ‘Privacy and settings’ and change your ‘Profile privacy’ to ‘Only you’
To set to ‘Private’ on Android:
- go to the ‘Play games’ app, touch the menu icon and select ‘Settings’
- select ‘Game profile’ > ‘Play now’ > ‘Your game profile’
- adjust your ‘Visibility and notifications’ settings to the most private options
Due to the age rating of this game, there are no real safety settings to limit contact or content. It is recommended that your child plays with offline friends, rather than with strangers.
To add a friend:
- on the homepage, select the friend icon at the top of the screen
- scroll down to ‘Add friends’
- enter your friend’s user ID into the search bar and select ‘Search’
- when your friend appears, select the ‘Request’ button to send them a friend request
To invite a friend to a match:
- open the multiplayer menu and choose the ‘Invite’ option on the left of the screen
- select the friend icon to view your friends list
- choose the friends you would like to invite by selecting the ‘Plus’ icons next to their name
- once your friends have accepted, you’ll be able to start the game
To mute a player:
- whilst in the game, select the speaker icon on the right-hand side
- choose the player from the list and select the speaker next to their name
- this will mute them for the duration of the game
Users can report other players who may be bothering them or behaving inappropriately on the platform.
To report a player:
- tap on your profile picture and go to ‘Player history’ (stopwatch icon)
- tap the parachute icon to report a player from a ‘Battle Royale’ match
- select the player you wish to report and tap the exclamation (!) icon
- highlight the player and choose the appropriate report type from the list and select Report
Whilst this game is free to play, in-game purchases are available. You can disable in-app purchases on each individual device itself.
To disable in-app purchases on iOS:
- go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Screen time’ and scroll down to ‘Content and privacy restrictions’
- select ‘iTunes and App Store purchases’ and set the option to ‘Don’t allow’
To disable in-app purchases on Android:
- go to your ‘Google Play Store’ app
- select ‘Menu’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Require authentication for purchases’
- this means you will need to set a password to make in-app purchases
Account deletion means all of your information will be permanently deleted and cannot be restored.
To delete your Call of Duty: Mobile account:
- on the homepage select the ‘Settings’ menu
- scroll to the ‘Legal and privacy’ option
- scroll to ‘Delete account’ and select ‘Go’
- you will need to submit a ‘Request to delete’ form
- read the information and select your country from the drop-down box
- select the box to confirm you have read the information and select ‘Proceed’
- choose ‘Delete personal erasure’ and choose the platforms you wish to delete your account from

Additional tips

Call of Duty is a hugely popular franchise of games, many of which need to be purchased to be played on a games console.

Call of Duty mobile has its own published, security enforcement policy which outlines and names behaviours that may cause a player’s account to be suspended or for them to be banned from the game.

Information about some of the more common behaviours is available.

Call of Duty: Mobile

Official age rating

How children and young people use the app

Key features and terminology

Multiplayer

Battle Royale

Chat

Clan

Loadout

Operator Skills

Arsenal

Scorestreak

Black Ops 6

KillStreak

Battle Passes

Challenges

Potential risks

Content

Connecting with others

Design, data and costs

Tips for keeping your child safe

Managing privacy

Managing interactions and content

Reporting and blocking

Managing time and purchases

Account deletion and deactivation

Additional tips