Child and youth protection

Children and young people need special protection. That is why there are special regulations for them. This applies not only to the consumption of alcohol and tobacco or visits to bars and clubs, but also to the consumption of films and video games. The aim is to protect children's health and development.

What is my child allowed to do and what not (yet)?

Are children and young people allowed to smoke?

No. Children and young people are not allowed to smoke or buy tobacco products (cigarettes, sisha tobacco, cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, etc.). Not even on behalf of adults. They are also not allowed to stay in so-called "smokers' bars". This is stated in the Youth Protection Act, which generally differentiates between children (up to 14 years), young people (14-18 years) and adults (18 years and over).

Are children and young people allowed to drink alcohol?

The rules for the consumption of alcohol depend on age. The Youth Protection Act makes a general distinction between children (up to 14 years), young people (14-18 years) and adults (18 years and over):

Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to buy or drink alcohol.
Young people who are 14 or 15 years old may drink beer, wine or sparkling wine in the presence and with the permission of their parents or a person with parental authority. Other - high-proof - alcoholic drinks are not permitted.
Young people aged 16 and over may buy and drink beer, wine or sparkling wine. Other alcoholic drinks are not permitted.
From the age of 18, you are considered an adult in Germany. From this point onwards, the purchase and consumption of all alcoholic beverages is permitted.

Are children and young people allowed in bars and clubs?

The rules for visiting bars and clubs depend on age.

Children and young people under the age of 16 may only visit bars and clubs if their parents or another person with parental authority are present. However, children and young people under the age of 16 may enter a pub (café, restaurant, etc.) unaccompanied between 5.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. to eat or drink.
Young people aged 16 and over may also enter bars and clubs alone, but must leave them by midnight at the latest.
Gambling halls, nightclubs and other "places harmful to minors" may only be visited from the age of 18.

In larger cities, there are sometimes so-called "children's discos" or "youth discos". These are clubs especially for children and young people. Children and young people can dance and have fun together. Schools also sometimes offer such events. There are adults there to supervise. And no alcohol.

Are children and young people allowed to go to the movies alone?

There are also rules for going to the movies: If parents or guardians are not present, going to the movies depends on age: children under the age of 14 may be in a movie theater until 8 pm. Young people aged 14 and over may go to the cinema until 10 pm and young people aged 16 and over may go until midnight. Children and young people may only watch films that are approved for their age. You can find out more about this in the section "Are there rules for the consumption of films and video games?".

Are there rules for the consumption of films & video games?

Films and video games have an age rating: Children and young people may only consume films and video games that are approved for their age group. The age for which a film or video game is approved is stated on the packaging and on advertising in cinemas, magazines, etc. The "Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry" (FSK) is responsible for age ratings. It examines the content and individual scenes of a movie or video game and then decides which age group the movie or video game is suitable for. There are 5 gradations: "FSK from 0", "FSK from 6", "FSK from 12", "FSK from 16" and "FSK from 18". The number is the minimum age someone should be to watch this movie or play this video game. "FSK ab 12" means, for example, that children under the age of 12 should not watch this movie or play this video game. "FSK ab 18" means that these films are only suitable for adults.

Are children and young people allowed to work?

Many children are happy to do small jobs because they can earn a little money of their own. However, there are laws in Germany that regulate from what age a child may work and how much. These are the "Ordinance on Child Labor Protection" and the "Youth Labor Protection Act". In general, the following applies:

Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to work. Exceptions are small and irregular help in the family business or at a neighbor's house.
Children between the ages of 13 and 15 are allowed to do light work for 2 hours a day, but only if their parents agree and if their performance at school or their health does not suffer as a result. Exception: Children between the ages of 13 and 15 may work in agriculture for up to 3 hours a day.
Young people aged 16 and over who are required to attend school may work for up to four weeks a year if their parents agree. They can work for a few weeks at a time during the vacations or regularly for a few hours, e.g. as a newspaper carrier.
Young people aged 16 and over who are no longer required to attend school are generally allowed to work a maximum of 5 days a week for 8 hours each.

Employers who do not adhere to the rules will be punished.

Important

If your child smokes, drinks alcohol or does things they are not old enough for, talk to them openly about it. Remain calm and objective. Tell them about the many negative consequences (addiction, illnesses, etc.) that this behavior can have. You can find help at many educational counseling centers or the youth migration service. You can find out more about this in our chapter"Raising children".

Source: handbookgermany.de