First national age limits for Videos and Games suggested

The most frightening example of the video game "Rape Day": The player is raped during a Zombie Apocalypse women. The Internet platform, Steam, has taken the game a few days ago from the program, after they had kindled a international storm of indignation.

In Switzerland should at least be children and young people in the future with such Offers, faced. The Federal Council proposes to the first Switzerland-wide youth protection measures for films, Videos and video games, as he announced on Friday.

The industries in the areas of cinema, Film, Video, and Games should be required, its own rules. This systematic Age labelling, sale controls, the protection of minors in Film and Videogames Software and appeal bodies for parents. These rules would explain the Federal Council to be generally binding; it would have to keep all providers, not just those who are members of industry organisations. In the case of Video - game platforms in the Internet, the Federal Council minimum standards suggests that the EU has decided. The platforms would have to examine, therefore, the age of their users and a System, the user content may be objectionable, which is not suitable for minors.

Today, the youth protection is largely the responsibility of the cantons and a corresponding Patchwork. Some industries such as the movie rental, the game, the seller or the provider of Internet television have adopted their own rules and regulations. By law the age for cinema and film distribution are regulated in the Romandie and the German part of Switzerland is different and work only in the past few years, thanks to the cooperation of several cantons and of the representatives of the sector to some extent. The cantons of Zurich and Ticino, in turn, have created a completely separate legal bases. About Ludwig Gärtner, Deputy Director of the competent Federal office for social insurance, says: "A national uniform age for classification of films, Videos and Games for parents and guardians guidance." Cantonal special obsolete rules. Gardeners, however, warns against exaggerated expectations: "We should be under no illusions: There are still the legal guardians, the youth protection the Central role."

The Federal government has done hard with the new law. By 2016, a draft would have to be available, but the consultation was postponed again. "We have postponed the Work on the template, the development of the European legislation for video to be seen platforms," says gardener. The enforcement of the youth protection on the Internet platforms would be difficult. "That's why we suggest, if possible, EU-related rules: the power of The market in Europe is so great, that international providers to keep in mind." At one point, the Federal Council wants to go, however, on the regulation of the EU: Brussels, only the video platforms, the new requirements, Berne wants to impose on these providers of Online Games. "It is not clear why we should introduce for games less requirements as for Videos," says gardener.

In the case of Games, which today are already equipped with the European age regulations, Pegi, is not likely to change the restructuring much. In the Film and video industry, the proposals are always well received. "We support the strategic direction of the law, could not consider it but in the Detail," says Franz Woodtli, President of the Association for youth protection in the media. "Up to now, we know in the film, the area of only cantonal regulations that do not harmonise. Therefore, the industry and the legislators need to have a national scheme." The consumer, however, the theme does not seem to burn under the nails, gives Woodtli: "From consumers we get a little resonance on the topic of youth protection. For you it seems to be marginal." Nevertheless, the new rules for the end-user would have to be understandable and "as far as possible" to be implemented consistently. With the restriction Woodtli plays mainly on the Streaming and video platforms, which are internationally oriented. "Compared with international players, such as large video platforms, a national law is hardly enforceable. To what extent should be recorded by law, it is to be checked," says Woodtli.

The Telecom Association Asut, of the members with Internet-TV and Video-on-Demand in its ranks has Offered, will consider the Federal Council's submission is critical. The members of the Union were already voluntarily blocking functions for the protection of minors. "We doubt whether the law can develop its effect in the Internet area at all, because Switzerland can not regulate international platforms for Videos and movies", says managing Director Christian Grasser. "It is important for youth protection in the media the media competence of children, young people and parents. We are committed to for ten years."

To such criticism, Ludwig gardener is prepared by the Federal office for social insurance. "The Federal Council has given us the order to a solution to the youth protection in the media to propose," he says. "The discussion needs to be held now." Interested parties can reply to their Consultation on the draft law until the 24. June 2019 to submit. Then the Federal Council will decide on the further course of action. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 15.03.2019, 19:22 PM