With a written statement and participation in a closed hearing, the USK has actively contributed to the development of recommendations on online risks and digital participation, which a commission of experts appointed by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs is working on until the summer break.
According to the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK; Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body), the hearing took place on 13 February. It was an oral, non-public hearing. The second hearing of the expert commission ‘Protection of Children and Young People in the Digital World’ dealt with the topic of ‘Technical protection of young people in the media, platform design and the responsibility of digital services’. The USK wrote a written statement on this topic and took part in the hearing.
According to its own statements, the USK wanted to make it clear that the games industry is already well positioned and consistently implements youth protection requirements in practice. Above all, the USK emphasised that age ratings, additional information and precautionary measures are well established and have a preventive effect. In addition, the system of regulated self-regulation has established itself as an effective and multi-stakeholder-based, proportionate approach. Technical protective measures and parental tools, such as youth protection programmes and parental controls within the meaning of Section 11 JMStV, in combination with targeted media education programmes, enable minors to participate safely in digital games and strengthen parental privilege.
In its statement, the USK describes the ‘triangle of responsibility between parents, providers and the state’ as central. In its preliminary remarks, the USK also argued that youth media protection should continue to be conceived in a diverse, age-differentiated and risk-oriented manner in the future, rather than as a monolithic concept.
The 18-member expert commission was appointed by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth to develop recommendations on online risks and digital participation by the 2026 parliamentary summer recess.
