Youth protection
Claus: Depictions of abuse on student cell phones are increasing
According to the abuse commissioner, children are confronted far too early with content that they cannot handle. photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
The abuse commissioner warns of a massive increase in obvious violence online – this is often not understood as real or even as a joke. She sees providers and politicians as having a duty.
The federal government’s abuse commissioner, Kerstin Claus, calls for protection standards for the digital world to protect children and young people from abuse. What is needed are clear rules and transparency, Claus told the German Press Agency. Parents should be able to decide about their children’s gaming worlds.
“Do I buy a game that has child and youth protection mechanisms built into it? Or do I take the open version? Specifically, I decide whether strange adults are allowed to chat with my child in the game or whether this is prevented, for example, through age verification and other technical mechanisms becomes.” Currently, parents far too often lack such a choice. Providers and politicians have a duty here.
Border violations are now normal
According to the representative, children are confronted far too early via the Internet, but also through older siblings, with content, photos, videos or even chats that they cannot handle. “Depictions of abuse on student cell phones are increasing massively,” said Claus.
“Why? Because a lot of things are not taken seriously or are even seen as jokes and sent along with funny emojis. Obvious violence is often not perceived as real.” Permanent border violations are now normal for most adolescents. This makes it difficult for them to develop a good compass for risks.
The journalist was appointed Independent Commissioner for Child Sexual Abuse Issues (UBSKM) in March 2022.