Last updated on March 9, 2021
The Nintendo skin protection is recognized by the USK.
The youth protection program was recognized by the entertainment software self-control and show how child protection could work online, according to the managing director of the USK.
The Nintendo Switch is a family console, as are most devices from Nintendo. Because not only adults and teens, but also children with the console in touch, Nintendo pursues a strict Jugenschutzprogramm that extends to all areas of the Switch: From access to the Internet on the downloadable games to the actual period of use, parents can control, what their children actually play.
The so-called Parental Controls were therefore recognized by the USK not only, as already in 2018, but extended the recognition in terms of the Youth Media Protection Treaty for another three years.
Games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are playable for the whole family – even if the blue tank can strain the family ties.
What does that mean? Among other things, such recognition sends a signal to parents who are worried about what their children are playing, whether they spend too much time in front of the console, and whether they may have access to titles that are not age-appropriate. Nintendo’s security measures are therefore an example in the technical protection of minors. This is also what Elisabeth Secker, Managing Director of the USK:
“The example of Nintendo shows how contemporary youth protection in the online area can work.A recognition by a self-control like the USK helps providers quickly and easily meet the requirements of German youth media protection.”
What makes Nintendo different?
The big difference to other platforms lies in the execution: what children play, of course, depends on what their parents allow them or not. However, if a parent or guardian simply takes a console to a child, it can theoretically use other cartridges or buy credit for the eShop and easily put games in the shopping cart that should not actually see it yet.
But even attentive parents do not get along, older players who themselves secretly gambled with their friends in childhood Ab-18 games are the best example. This is where the youth protection settings of the Switch come into play: parents can set which age group is suitable for the children, whether they can access the shop at all, and so on.
Also, connecting to social media or sharing clips online has been curtailed, even the volume of the headphones can be regulated to prevent hearing damage. An overview of the functions are Nintendo as in this video itself:
What do you say to the decision of the USK and the attitudes themselves? Are they necessary because children can now access much more content much more easily than a few years ago? Or do you give them the opportunity to learn the responsible use of the Internet and consoles?
What would you want, as parents or as children?
