The Game Rating System in Germany: A Study of Youth Protection Enforced by Entertainment Software Self-Regulation (USK) and the Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Minors (BPjM)

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  • ドイツにおけるゲームレーティングシステム：USKとBPjMによる青少年保護
  • ドイツ ニ オケル ゲームレーティング システム : USK ト BPjM ニ ヨル セイショウネン ホゴ

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Abstract

<p>With Germany being the largest game market in Europe, many parents are concerned about their children’s use of games. There are laws related to youth protection and game ratings in Germany; however, the German game rating system in recent years has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine the game rating system in Germany and its adaptation to the realm of digital distribution of games. The results showed the following characteristics of the game rating system in Germany: (1) It is a co-regulation system managed by the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation (USK), which is the organization responsible for computer and video game ratings in Germany, based on laws related to youth protection; (2) the guiding criteria of the USK for the evaluation of computer and video games is in accordance with the Legislation on Youth Protection and is decided upon and adjusted by the USK Advisory Council; (3) the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations in computer and video games is considered in conjunction with social adequacy; (4) the USK covers ratings of online games and apps (USK.online started in 2011, and the International Age Rating Coalition participated in 2015); and (5) the USK has promoted awareness through various activities to improve transparency of the USK ratings system. The Federal Review Board for Publications Harmful to Young People (BPjM) registers the data media and telemedia which might have a severely damaging impact on the development and education of children and adolescents and includes them in the list of harmful media.</p>

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