At their traditional spring meeting, the Hessian Media Authority and the Voluntary Self-Regulation Organisation of the Film Industry (FSK) agreed on a common approach to the protection of young people in the media. The focus was on adapting the regulatory framework to the changing media usage patterns of young target groups, as well as on the role of self-regulation bodies within the age rating system.

Both organisations emphasise that effective protection of young people in the media can only function on the basis of a stable, sustainable legal framework. Against the backdrop of the ongoing discussions on reforming the Youth Protection Act (JuSchG), they advocate strengthening recognised self-regulatory mechanisms.

The FSK is highlighted as an example; with around 170 volunteer assessors from across Germany, it develops age ratings for films through independent procedures. This system is complemented by children’s and young people’s panels, a youth advisory board and academic research initiatives that incorporate societal perspectives into the assessment process.

Murad Erdemir, Director of the Hesse Media Authority, emphasises the growing challenges posed by the changing media habits of young users. He argues that policymakers and regulators must actively shape this change. Self-regulatory bodies such as the FSK are, he says, the cornerstones of an effective youth media protection system and must be strengthened accordingly.

Kerstin Waldeck, Head of the Policy, Legal and Regulatory Division at the Hessian Media Authority, also sees the further development of the protection of minors as an opportunity for technology-neutral and future-proof regulation. She emphasises that a balanced system is crucial, one that draws on the expertise of self-regulatory bodies whilst ensuring transparency and a level playing field.

Spotlight on parental privileges at the cinema

Another key focus of the meeting was the so-called ‘parental privilege’ in cinemas. Both sides are in favour of extending the existing ‘parental guidance’ provision in the Youth Protection Act. In future, parents should also be able to decide for themselves whether their children can go to the cinema to see films with an FSK rating of ‘6’ or ‘16’ and above.

The aim of the amendment is to achieve greater harmonisation between cinema and other forms of media consumption. Furthermore, the shared experience of watching films is to be promoted as a means of fostering media literacy.

Stefan Linz, Managing Director of the FSK and the umbrella organisation for the film industry (SPIO), has criticised the inconsistent application of the ‘parental guidance’ system to date. Parents should be able to decide on content themselves, regardless of the distribution channel. The FSK’s supplementary guidance would provide important guidance for responsible media use.