Is Call of Duty OK for a 12 year old?

Is Call of Duty OK for a 12-year-old?

As a parent or guardian, you’re naturally concerned about what your 12-year-old is playing and what it’s exposed to. One popular gaming franchise that raises eyebrows is Call of Duty (COD). With its graphic content, intense action, and mature themes, you may wonder if COD is suitable for a 12-year-old. Let’s break it down.

Elderly Targeted Ratings

The game is indeed targeted towards a mature audience, with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating it as T for Teen (Teen Only). However, there is a graphic content filter that allows parents to tone down the gore, blood, and adult language. This raises a few questions:

• Should parents take advantage of the graphic content filter, allowing a 12-year-old to play the game?
• Are there some games within the COD franchise more suitable for a 12-year-old than others?
• What are some common mature themes and graphic content parents should be aware of in COD?

Campaigns and Multiplayer

A crucial aspect of COD is its multiplayer mode, which is free online and offers endless competition and interaction. Some arguments against COD for a 12-year-old are the competitive nature of online play and the potential exposure to harassment, bullying, or adult content. This brings to light:

• How concerned should parents be about the social aspect of COD?
• Are there other factors influencing the game’s overall suitability for a 12-year-old besides online interactions?

Setting Parental Controls

When setting parental controls on a 12-year-old’s device, parents must weigh the importance of limiting exposure to certain aspects of the game while still allowing a level of access to this popular gaming experience.

Common Complaints about COD

Familiar issues in the gaming community raise red flags for parents. Here’s a brief look:

• Blood, Gore, and Violence: Some scenes depict intense action with human-like characters receiving wounds. Blood, gore, and violence can be triggered in these moments. Graphic Content Filter helps to tone it down
• Bad Language and Suggestive Themes: COD features explicit language and mature themes like profanity, drug reference, and suggestive content Settings enable parents to switch it off
• Strong Implied Violence and Murder: Characters are sometimes portrayed being killed or engaging in battle Again, graphic content filter can assist with muting this
• Mature Tone and Implication: Scenes with blood, gore, or destruction can create an adult-only atmosphere Be mindful when playing with young teens and monitor their gameplay experience
• High-Speed Deathmatch: A chaotic fast-paced multiplayer environment, promoting aggressive gameplay

Breaking it Down for a 12-year-old

Keep in mind these COD versions are not for kids; they’re developed with teens and adults in mind:

• Modern Warfare, Black Ops, Ghosts: Designed with mature themes and high-pressure action, better suited for teens and above.
• Warzone, Mobile: Some might say these versions have toned down the mature aspects but may still be geared towards teenagers.

Commonsensemedia’s Guide to COP

The esteemed website CommonSensemedia summarizes it concisely: The game’s story, which involves mature themes and scenes of violence, makes it more suitable for players aged 17 and up. However, parents can opt to toggle off blood, gore, and language using the settings.

In conclusion:

• COD has graphic content, mature themes, and intense action. As such, it might not be suitable for 12-year-olds.
• Use graphic content filter settings to tone down some graphic content.
• Set parental controls for online interactions.
• Observe and manage the playing experience to maintain responsible online behavior.
• The specific COD game type might not be the primary factor. Monitor the entire experience closely.

Remember to be present, open to your child’s concerns, and take an active role in overseeing their gaming adventures.

Source:

• "Call of Duty: Cold War for Kids: Tips, Common Sense Media Reviews and FAQs" ( commonsensemedia.org )

• "Should You Let Your Kid Play Call of Duty? An Honest Guide For Parents", (vintageisthenewold.com)

• "Call of Duty (series)" at Commonsensemedia.org.
• Various reviews and statements on websites like Steam and other sources.