Youth protection online: USK, FSK and age ratings

In short: Age ratings such as USK (games) and FSK (films) and the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media regulate which content children and young people may see and buy.

In more detail: Children and young people are to be protected from content that impairs their development. In Germany this is regulated by the Youth Protection Act (JuSchG) for media in retail and the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV) for broadcasting and the internet. This is general information and not legal advice; laws change and individual cases can differ. For concrete problems counselling (consumer advice, lawyer, data protection authority) helps.

In Depth

Age levels

USK (entertainment software self-regulation) and FSK (voluntary self-regulation of the film industry) rate media: from 0, 6, 12, 16 and 18 years (for USK/FSK 18 “no youth release”). The rating describes possible impairment, not pedagogical value, and assesses for example violence, fear, language, sexuality. PEGI is the European system for games (note: in Germany the USK label is decisive for retail). Online games often receive additional notes (in-game purchases, chats, chance mechanics such as loot boxes).

Online and platforms

Providers with content impairing development must secure age limits: broadcast times, technical means (youth protection programs, age verification), labelling. Pornographic and seriously harmful content may only be accessible to adults (closed user group, age check). The Youth Protection Act also requires precautionary measures from providers (defaults, reporting routes, help), for example for contact risks in games and social networks.

For parents and teenagers

• Use youth-protection settings of devices and services (screen time, Family Link, console accounts, streaming profiles).
• Talk with the child: rules of use, handling chats, cost traps, cyberbullying.
• Age ratings as orientation, not guarantee; content can differ.
• Terms of many networks set a minimum age (often 13 or 16 years, with parents’ consent).
• Advice: jugendschutz.net, klicksafe.de, helplines, media literacy offerings of the state media authorities.

For providers

Whoever runs websites, games or apps that reach children must observe youth protection and data protection (consent of minors), set up labelling, reporting and help functions and mind warning-letter risks. Inform yourself with the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) and the Federal Agency for the Protection of Children and Young People in the Media (BzKJ).

See also: Cyberbullying, Digital Services Act, Media literacy