Leistungen A-Z

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: yes

Written form required: no

Personal appearance required: no

• Application for indexing a medium harmful to minors (online application and download)
• Suggestion for indexing a medium harmful to young people (online application and download)

Media harmful to minors can be indexed by the BPjM. Media are harmful to minors if they are suitable for:

• the development of children and adolescents or
• to endanger their education to become an independent and socially capable personality.

When indexing, fundamental rights of third parties must be taken into account, such as artistic freedom or freedom of expression.

Indexing does not lead to an absolute ban. This means that adults will continue to have access. The aim of indexing is to prevent children and young people from being confronted with media that are harmful to young people.

At the same time, the evaluations of the BPjM provide parents and media educators with orientation as to which media content violates the socio-ethical value system and which educational goals are endangered.

Depending on the type of medium, indexing has different consequences:

• Internet offers, for example websites, online games or film files on video platforms are telemedia. Indexed telemedia are included in the non-public part of the list of media harmful to minors. There are far-reaching distribution and advertising restrictions.
• Physical media, such as books, Blu-rays, DVDs or games on Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs, modules and memory cards are among the carrier media. Indexed carrier media are subject to restrictions on distribution, presentation, distribution, distribution and advertising. They are published in the Federal Gazette and published in the journal of the Federal Review Board (BPjM aktuell).
• Radio and television are part of radio. Indexed media may generally not be broadcast on the radio.
• Under certain conditions, regularly published media can also be indexed in advance for a period of up to twelve months, i.e. over several issues.

The indexing of a medium can only be requested or suggested by authorized bodies under the Youth Protection Act. In the event of suggestions, the BPjM examines ex officio whether an indexing procedure should be initiated.

If, as a private individual, a medium appears to be harmful to young people, you can contact numerous bodies, for example in your municipality. For example, all youth welfare offices, schools and police authorities are eligible.

If you want to check whether a particular media is already indexed and has been added to the public or non-public list, you can send an e-mail query to liste@bundespruefstelle.de .

These institutions may submit an application:

• the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ),
• the highest state youth authorities,
• the central supervisory body of the Länder for the protection of minors in the media,
• the state youth welfare offices and
• the youth welfare offices.

These facilities can provide a suggestion for indexing:

• all other authorities, such as:
  • Police
  • Schools
  • Custom offices
  • Tax offices
  • Public order offices as well as
• the recognised providers of independent youth welfare, for example
  • Educational institutions and
  • Youth facilities.

• if applicable, the original medium or as a copy

none

You can submit the application or suggestion by post, e-mail or via an online form.

If you wish to submit the application or suggestion in writing:

• Download and print out the application or suggestion form from the BPjM website.
• Fill out the form completely. Then send it to the BPjM with the required documents.
• In the event of a suggestion, the chairperson of the BPjM checks whether the procedure should be carried out.
• As the applicant or suggesting body, you will be informed of the main course of the procedure.
• At an oral hearing in the so-called standard procedure, a representative of your institution has a right to participate.
• The competent body decides on indexing.
• You will be notified of the executed indexing decision.
• The indexing of carrier media is published in the Federal Gazette and included in the list of media harmful to minors in the journal of the Federal Review Board (BPjM aktuell).
• Bodies entitled to apply may lodge an action against non-indexing with the administrative court.

If you want to submit the application or suggestion online:

• Go to the BPjM website. In the "Service"/"Forms" section, select whether you want to submit an application or a suggestion.
• From the list, select the medium for which you want to request or encourage indexing.
• Fill out the online form completely and enter the e-mail address of your institution or authority.
• In the event of a suggestion, the chairperson of the BPjM checks whether the procedure should be carried out.
• As the applicant or suggesting body, you will be informed of the main course of the procedure.
• At an oral hearing in the so-called standard procedure, a representative of your institution has a right to participate.
• The competent body decides on indexing.
• You will be notified of the completed indexing decision.
• The indexing of carrier media is published in the Federal Gazette and included in the list of media harmful to minors in the journal of the Federal Review Board (BPjM aktuell).
• Bodies entitled to apply may lodge an action against non-indexing with the administrative court.

None.

Please note that the medium must already be published.

Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM)
Rochusstrasse 8-10
53123 Bonn, Germany

Phone: 0228 9996210310
fax: 0228 379014
E-mail: info@bpjm.bund.de

For authorities and independent youth welfare agencies to apply for or encourage indexing:

Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM)
Rochusstrasse 8-10
53123 Bonn, Germany

Phone: 0228 9996210310
fax: 0228 379014
E-mail: info@bpjm.bund.de

Service hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For private individuals:

Please contact one of the above-mentioned bodies entitled to apply or suggest.

Query an index:

Under liste@bundespruefstelle.de , you can ask if a particular medium is already indexed and has been added to the public or non-public list.

• § 18 Youth Protection Act (JuSchG)
• § 21 Youth Protection Act (JuSchG)

• Information on indexing on the website of the Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young People
• Information on the indexing procedure on the website of the Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young People
• Information on the effect of indexing on the website of the Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Young Persons

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)