Legal age restriction?
The political pressure to protect children from unsuitable content by law shows no sign of abating. The Federal Council is now calling for a standardised framework for age restrictions, controls and sanctions for games and videos throughout Switzerland. The Federal Department of Home Affairs is working with industry associations and the cantons to draw up a consultation draft by 2018.
If you talk to parents, you will notice that they often do not follow the age restrictions on films and games. Although some experts regularly remind them and call on them to do so. Including me. So there is a gap between theory and practice. This is hardly surprising. On the one hand, there is a lack of studies on how to deal with age recommendations, and on the other hand, experts disagree on whether age ratings are useful in media education.
If you talk to parents, you notice that they often don't follow the age restrictions on films and games.
Parents prefer to rely on their own judgement. If they cannot apply the recommendations to their own situation or if they differ from their own judgement, they ignore them. What some parents consider brutal and unsuitable for children is of little concern to others. Assessments differ from family to family - and even more so from culture to culture. Especially in Switzerland with its four language cultures.
It is not uncommon for age ratings to be set differently in French-speaking Switzerland than in German-speaking Switzerland or Ticino. The applicable laws are also not the same, as the internet is known to be a global medium. A new directive on audiovisual media services is already being discussed in the EU.
A mechanism for users to report harmful content was proposed. There are also age verification systems and a code of conduct for the sectors. The Federal Council is considering enacting corresponding rules. It makes no sense for Switzerland to drive a special train. However, risks do not simply disappear with a law.
Different age ratings often apply in French-speaking Switzerland than in German-speaking Switzerland.
Ludwig Gärtner, Head of the «Family, Generations and Society» division at the Federal Social Insurance Office, emphasised in the NZZ: «There will always be ways of circumventing the age limits. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do anything.» As parents, you in particular have a lot to contribute. Current research shows that a combination of active and passive parental guidance significantly minimises the risk for children and young people online.
And children and young people do not miss out on potential or opportunities when using digital media. Active parental guidance means that parents explain media content, distinguish between reality and fiction and actively support their child by evaluating programmes together. Passive means: Parents use media together with their child. For example, they watch programmes or films together on the screen or play games together.
Picture: fotostorm
On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media in everyday family life.
swisscom.ch/medienstark