Game · High risk
Is Overwatch safe for your child?
Age guide
Teen 13+
We advise Overwatch from age 13 and up. Overall risk 7/10 (high risk).
- 5-8
- Children in this age range are generally too young for Overwatch due to its fast-paced combat, strategic depth, and online interactions.
- 9-12
- At this age, children may be drawn to the colorful heroes and team-based gameplay; however, the competitive nature and unmoderated voice chat can expose them to mature language and pressure.
- 13-15
- Teenagers can appreciate the strategic team play and diverse hero abilities in Overwatch, but parents should monitor for excessive screen time and exposure to competitive toxicity in online matches.
- 16+
- Older teens can fully engage with Overwatch's complex hero roster and competitive modes, and they are generally better equipped to navigate the social dynamics and report any negative interactions they encounter.
Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter game where players choose from a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities and roles. The game emphasizes teamwork and strategic gameplay, requiring players to work together to complete objectives and defeat the opposing team. Set in a vibrant, futuristic world, it combines elements of action and strategy, making it appealing to a wide range of audiences.
- Age guide
- Teen 13+
- Overall risk
- 7/10
- Violence
- 5/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 6/10
- Stranger contact
- 7/10
- Addiction risk
- 8/10
- Language
- 4/10
- Influence
- 6/10
What parents should know
Overwatch is a popular team-based shooter with a diverse cast of heroes and strategic gameplay. Its online nature means unmoderated interactions with other players, which can expose children to mature language and competitive pressure. Parents should utilize robust parental controls for communication and purchases, and discuss online safety with their children.
What to do about Overwatch
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Overwatch is Teen 13+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Overwatch setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Overwatch without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Overwatch that mean it is time to step in.
Overwatch age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Overwatch?
Parentwise puts Overwatch at Teen 13+. We advise Overwatch from age 13 and up. Overall risk 7/10 (high risk). Violence scores 5/10, language 4/10, stranger contact 7/10 and addiction risk 8/10.
Can a 10 year old play Overwatch?
Not by default: we advise Overwatch from 13+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. At this age, children may be drawn to the colorful heroes and team-based gameplay; however, the competitive nature and unmoderated voice chat can expose them to mature language and pressure.
Can a 12 year old play Overwatch?
Not by default: we advise Overwatch from 13+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. At this age, children may be drawn to the colorful heroes and team-based gameplay; however, the competitive nature and unmoderated voice chat can expose them to mature language and pressure.
Can a 13 year old play Overwatch?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Overwatch (13+). Teenagers can appreciate the strategic team play and diverse hero abilities in Overwatch, but parents should monitor for excessive screen time and exposure to competitive toxicity in online matches.
Is Overwatch appropriate for kids?
Overwatch is a popular team-based shooter with a diverse cast of heroes and strategic gameplay. Parentwise rates Overwatch overall as high risk (7/10), with stranger contact at 7/10 and addiction risk at 8/10.
Is Overwatch family friendly?
Overwatch is one of the higher-risk titles we rate, so treat it as supervised rather than family viewing. Its online nature means unmoderated interactions with other players, which can expose children to mature language and competitive pressure.
Overwatch parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Overwatch is a popular team-based shooter with a diverse cast of heroes and strategic gameplay. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (7/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (8/10).
Is Overwatch safe for kids?
We advise Overwatch from age 13 and up. Overall risk 7/10 (high risk). Its online nature means unmoderated interactions with other players, which can expose children to mature language and competitive pressure.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.