The USK (entertainment software self-control) checks video games for content that is harmful to young people and gives them an age rating. In our interview, the managing director of the USK talks about new regulations and trends within gaming.
Anyone who has ever held a video game in their hands knows what a USK logo looks like. During the self-monitoring of the entertainment software, numerous games are checked for their content every year and, based on this, are given an age rating and other information.
Since January 1, 2023, new regulations regarding USK marking have been in force in Germany (more on this at GamePro). We at MeinMMO asked the managing director Elisabeth Secker a few questions in this context.
Online chats and cash shops as a danger for children and young people
MeinMMO: Hello, could you please introduce yourself to our readers? What is your name and what is your role within the USK?
Ms Secker: My name is Elizabeth Secker. I am the managing director at USK and look forward to your questions.
Since January 2023, a number of new rules regarding the labeling of games have come into force. Among other things, they revolve around warnings about chats and cash shops in video games. Why can these specifically be problematic for children and young people from the point of view of the USK?
Correct. As of January 1, 2023, new age labeling rules apply to digital games. This is due to a change in the Youth Protection Act, which aims to improve the protection of children and young people in the digital space. For this purpose, the age ratings have been expanded to include additional information on content and use, and the criteria for age ratings have been updated.
Chat functions allow players to exchange ideas across borders, form digital teams, discuss game tactics and teams, or simply chat. This is not initially a problem per se, but can also improve the gaming experience.
From the point of view of youth protection, the following questions are particularly relevant: How are the individual functions designed? Are there ways to set safe defaults, especially for younger users? Are there ways in the game to report problematic behavior or block other users?
All of this is important to contain risks such as inappropriate comments, cyberbullying or even cybergrooming. In-game purchasing functions are also not fundamentally problematic in the context of responsible use for children and young people, as long as there are tools for parental control of purchases.
However, from the point of view of youth protection, it may be relevant how the purchase functions are embedded and whether the game puts children and young people under particular pressure to make purchases.
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Is it possible to say in general when a warning about chats and cash shops will be issued?
The USK does not issue any “warnings”, but provides additional information in the form of transparent information about the functions contained in the game that may lead to risks if parental settings are missing.
If a game submitted to the USK for testing contains any additional functions such as communication options or in-game purchases, this is always stated. If these functions have been assessed as a significant risk by the independent USK committees, this can also lead to a higher release and is displayed as the reason for the age classification right next to the license plate.
We have compiled the most important information on our explanatory page for parents.
New trends in gaming cannot be ignored
What plans does USK have regarding games offering cryptocurrency and NFT trading?
The USK always views new developments and trends from the perspective of youth protection. VR, cryptocurrency or NFTs are exciting phenomena that we are observing very closely on the content level.
We have to keep discussing what is relevant for the protection of minors and to what extent it can affect the development of children and young people. At the moment, these trends have not quite reached children and young people.
Depending on the development, such aspects can also be included in the evaluations in the future. However, this is initially assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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The Play2Earn option has existed in popular kids games like Roblox for years. Again and again there are reports of exploitation or exploitation of children by the game content or other users. Is there anything the USK can do in such cases?
The USK is responsible for examining digital games in Germany under youth protection law and provides information on how to deal with digital games through information campaigns such as the USK’s digital parents’ evenings.
Consumer protection issues, on the other hand, are the core competence of other institutions.
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As managing director of the USK, you said in the statement on the new regulations that they form the “foundation” for the application of the new Youth Protection Act. What further steps should follow?
With the new Youth Protection Act, the legislator wants to improve the protection of children and young people in the digital sphere by also taking the “new” online risks into account. The whole thing also has an impact on the USK test criteria and the resulting age ratings.
At the beginning of this year, the new regulations for the testing of digital games will be implemented at the USK and the regulations of the amended Youth Protection Act can take effect. It remains to be seen how exactly the new ruling practice will develop through the independent review bodies at the USK.
The USK guiding criteria must therefore be constantly evaluated and further developed on the basis of new findings.
How will the new rules affect the USK’s game ratings?
So far, the USK has rated games according to media content. The changes to the Youth Protection Act mean a paradigm shift in the previous youth protection law assessment practice: New elements present in the game are now being added, such as communication and purchase functions, but also game mechanics that can contribute to promoting excessive media use.
All of these aspects can now be taken into account in the age rating, on the one hand through additional information, but also in the consideration of the age rating check itself. Another important point is that providers are obliged to take precautionary measures, i.e. to provide technical setting options that Protect children and young people from these risks.
How the ruling practice will develop here depends on the decisions of the independent review bodies at the USK.
On the official USK website there is a section with information for parents. There is a warning about online bullying and grooming, among other things. Can you tell us what information will be added to this area in the future?
We see a great need among parents to better understand how to deal with gaming safely. Since 2022, the USK, together with other media protection institutions for children and young people, has been involved in the “Elternguide.online”, a portal that offers parents specific assistance on current issues in dealing with the media.
In addition, we regularly offer “digital parents’ evenings” to give parents specific help – most recently, for example, on the subject of “playtime” as part of Safer Internet Day 23.
We would like to thank Ms. Secker and wish her and her colleagues from the USK every success in their work.
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