Video games for ages 13–15: trust, PEGI 16/18 requests and choices

From house rules to a negotiated gaming agreement

By 13, many children have outgrown blanket restrictions, and heavy-handed controls can push gaming somewhere you can't see it, such as a friend's house or a second account. A written or spoken "gaming agreement" that you review every few months tends to hold up better than settings imposed without discussion.

• What stays locked, for example spending without approval and games rated 18.
• What your teen now controls, such as how they split their weekly time.
• What happens if something goes wrong online. Make it clear that telling you won't automatically mean losing the game.
• When you'll review it, for example at the start of each school term.

When they ask for GTA or Call of Duty

Requests for PEGI 18 games are common at this age, usually because friends play them. It helps to know exactly what the rating covers before the conversation.

Grand Theft Auto V is PEGI 18. Its PEGI advice mentions violence against defenceless characters, motiveless killing, torture, strong language, illegal drug use and sexual scenes. The current console version also carries a Gambling descriptor, as GTA Online lets players exchange in-game money for casino chips. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (October 2026) is PEGI 18 with an Extreme violence descriptor. Free-to-play Call of Duty: Warzone is PEGI 18 too.

Families land in different places, and that's a decision for you. Some say "not until 18", some agree a date to revisit, and some allow a specific game with conditions. Whatever you choose:

• Read the PEGI consumer advice together, so the discussion is about what's actually in the game, not just the number.
• If you do allow one title, use a per-game exception (Xbox organiser approval, PlayStation Allowed Games or the Nintendo Safelist) rather than removing the age filter entirely.
• Think about online play separately from the story mode, as voice chat with adults is part of the experience.

Our GTA V guide and Call of Duty guide set out the content, chat and spending in detail.

Good starting games for ages 13–15

Each rating below was checked against the PEGI database or the UK app stores. A good starting point is not the whole story: the Parent Check on each full guide shows what to switch on or off.

A PEGI 16 for how a game sells, not what it shows

Not every PEGI 16 is about violence. Since June 2026, games newly rated by PEGI that sell Paid random items (loot boxes, card packs or anything where you don't know what you're buying) are rated PEGI 16. From October 2026, PEGI has also been re-rating existing digital-only games rated 3, 7 or 12 that contain them.

That's why EA Sports FC 27 is PEGI 16. PEGI's advice points to paid random player packs, time-limited store items, a paid season pass and daily or weekly objectives that may pressure players to return. Brawl Stars shows PEGI 16 on Google Play in the UK for similar reasons.

The UK hasn't classed loot boxes as gambling. Instead, the government backed industry principles in 2023 saying paid loot boxes shouldn't be available to under-18s unless a parent or guardian enables them. See our EA Sports FC guide and in-game spending.

Teen money: top-ups, gift cards and monthly caps

Teenagers often have their own money, from birthdays or a part-time job. Gift cards and top-ups give them independence, but a balance already on an account can usually be spent without approval, so the cap matters more than the approval button.

• PlayStation: the Monthly Spending Limit caps store spending from the family manager's wallet.
• Xbox: Ask to buy plus purchase notification emails. Adding a fixed amount means the balance can't be overdrawn.
• Epic: Require a PIN for Epic Games Payments, and a separate choice about paid random items.
• Nintendo: Spending Restrictions in your Nintendo Account family group, or a fixed eShop card balance.

A monthly review of what was bought, and whether it felt worth it, teaches more than any lock. Walkthroughs are on our PlayStation, Xbox and Epic account pages.

Late nights, headsets and protecting sleep

For many teens, the problem isn't the game, it's when they play it. Online matches with friends often run later than a parent expects, and one more game is easy to agree to with a headset on.

1. Set playable hours rather than just a daily total: Playable Hours on PlayStation, a Time range on Xbox, time windows in Epic's controls or a bedtime in the Nintendo app.
2. Agree a wind-down: last match starts by a set time, headset off and devices charging outside the bedroom.
3. Treat weekends and holidays differently, and say so in your agreement, so nobody's arguing about it on a Friday night.

More in screen time and routines.

Online life after thirteen: what changes automatically

Some protections relax on their own as a child gets older, so it's worth knowing what changes without you doing anything.

• Epic: Cabined Accounts apply to under-13s, so from 13 the default restrictions on chat and purchases no longer apply. Check the parental controls are still set the way you want.
• Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat still needs parent set-up and friend approvals for under-16s.
• Roblox: age-checked users aged 13 and over can add Trusted Connections, which allows chat outside their age group.

Make sure your teen knows how to mute, block and report, and that they can come to you. Childline and CEOP are there if something serious happens. Our online chat guide covers reporting in popular games.