Germany’s state governments have agreed on amendments to the Youth Media Protection Treaty (JMStV), mandating the implementation of child protection filters at the operating system level for devices such as PCs, laptops, and smartphones. The proposed reforms were approved at the Minister Presidents’ Conference in Berlin and are slated for full adoption by March 2025, pending ratification by state parliaments.

Under the amended JMStV, operating systems will be required to include a “child protection device,” a filter system designed to restrict access to content deemed harmful to minors. The filters must be user-friendly and offer secure mechanisms for activation, deactivation, and customization. Key features of the new regulation include:

Child and Youth Modes: Devices must allow parents or authorized individuals to set age limits, automatically enabling an age-appropriate mode that restricts access to unsuitable apps and websites.
Mandatory App Store Compliance: Only apps with an appropriate age rating or explicit parental approval will be accessible on devices configured for children or teenagers. Installation of programs will require distribution platforms, such as app stores, to incorporate automated, state-recognized rating systems.

Browser Restrictions: Common browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari will be allowed only in special modes with secure search functionalities unless explicitly enabled in a secure manner.

Content Labeling: Providers of films, series, and games must display clearly visible age ratings at the beginning of each offering, accompanied by explanations of potential risks to personal integrity.

The amendments also empower state media authorities to prohibit financial transactions with non-compliant foreign platforms and combat circumvention through mirror domains. The initiative aims to target platforms such as Pornhub, xHamster, and YouPorn, which have previously evaded content-blocking measures in Germany.

Proponents argue that the reforms simplify parental control over online content and enhance the protection of children from age-inappropriate material, including pornography, violence, and hate speech. Alexander Schweitzer, Rhineland-Palatinate’s Prime Minister, asserted, “While Germany already has Europe’s highest level of child and youth protection, new measures are essential to address evolving risks in the digital age.”

However, the amendments have drawn criticism from IT and media associations, as well as voluntary self-regulatory bodies. Opponents argue that the reforms introduce unnecessary complexities and may lack practical effectiveness. The eco Association of the Internet Industry contends that requiring even unproblematic content to bear age ratings contradicts the principle of proportionality, while the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM) questions the added value of such mandatory filters.

Michael Kretschmer, Saxony’s Prime Minister, countered these critiques, stating, “Parents often face overwhelming challenges in configuring protection features across multiple devices and apps. This unified solution will streamline the process, allowing a single password-protected setting to ensure safe and age-appropriate digital experiences.”

The reforms face a final hurdle in securing approval from state parliaments. The heads of state governments anticipate completing this process by March 12, 2025. If passed, manufacturers of operating systems will be obligated to integrate these child protection features into devices sold within Germany.

Additionally, the new measures will require collaboration between self-regulatory bodies and the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) to define specific standards for youth protection. The FSM welcomed this cooperative approach, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in addressing the diverse needs of families.

Germany’s decision to embed child protection mechanisms directly into operating systems could set a precedent for other nations grappling with the challenges of online safety for minors. By addressing not only content regulation but also financial enforcement against non-compliant platforms, the reforms aim to establish a more comprehensive approach to protecting young internet users.

However, critics warn that practical implementation and public awareness remain critical to ensuring the success of these ambitious measures.