As part of its USK.online division, the USK offers a certification program for youth protection officers. In an online seminar, youth protection officers receive further training in youth media protection and thus acquire the specialist skills required by law. This allows them to issue age ratings for content on film and games platforms.
What are youth protection officers?
Anyone who offers content on the Internet that is impairing the development of minors or is harmful to minors, such as digital games, is required by law to appoint a youth protection officer. This includes, for example, providers of apps, websites, but also providers of commercially operated channels on social networks. Furthermore, commercial providers of television services that do not require a license and contain content that impairs the development of minors or is harmful to minors, providers of search engines, or organizers of television services that require a license in more than one country must also appoint a youth protection officer.
This person must have the necessary expertise, advises providers on the design of appropriate offerings in conformity with the protection of minors and acts as a contact person for users (cf. Section 7 JMStV).
Youth protection officers are authorized to issue age ratings for content provided on film and/or games platforms, provided they are certified by an institution of voluntary self-regulation (see Section 14a (1) sentence 2 no. 2 JuSchG).
Advantages of the certification
Participation in a certification seminar provides youth protection officers with the expertise they need to perform their duties as youth protection officers comprehensively and in compliance with the law. In addition, after completing the certification, participants are qualified to issue legally compliant, provider-specific age rating symbols within the meaning of Section 14a (1) No. 2 JuSchG. Graduates of the certification seminar are awarded the qualification of certified youth protection officer in accordance with Section 14a (1) No. 2 JuSchG in conjunction with Section 7 JMStV. § 7 JMStV is certified by the USK.
Participation in the seminar is primarily aimed at youth protection officers from USK.online member companies. On request and upon proof of activity in an industry and/or company relevant for certification, the seminar can also be attended by non-members.
Requirements and contents of a certification
The certification is granted if participation in the training seminar can be proven both for the basic module and for a in-depth module. Participants must first prove that they work in an industry or company relevant to the certification, unless they are employed by a member company.
The certification is limited to one year and will be extended for another year (upon application) if the youth protection officer can prove that he/she has attended at least one further refresher course during the current year of the certification.
Module structure of the certification seminar
Current dates
The current dates for the next certification seminars will be published soon.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the USK.online team directly!
