Children and the Internet in Austria: Practical Tips for Parents

The internet is part of children’s school and social lives, so a complete ban is rarely practical. Shared exploration, clear rules and a sensible combination of technical tools can help parents support safer online use.

Who regulates child protection online in Austria?

In Austria, youth protection is partly regulated at provincial level. Each province has its own youth protection law, alongside federal regulations under the Jugendschutzgesetz. Relevant parts of the provincial laws can be reviewed together in one place.

The legal framework also includes the law on pornography, the Pornografiegesetz.

Start with shared internet use and clear rules

It is worth starting when children are still very young. Explore the internet together and ask your child to show you their favourite websites. This shared experience can make it easier for them to talk to you later about both positive and negative online experiences.

Online rules work best when:

• the child understands them and accepts that they serve a purpose;
• they are developed together rather than imposed from above;
• parents set a good example through their own internet use.

It is not a problem if you sometimes need to ask your child to explain something. This can help build the trust you may need if a problem arises. A parent who only bans or criticises things, without understanding the internet, may find it difficult to be taken seriously.

Filtering software: what can it and cannot do?

Technical tools such as filtering software can be a useful supplement, especially for younger children. Their reliability decreases as children get older because:

• they can be bypassed with sufficient computer knowledge;
• young people may also use the internet elsewhere, such as at friends’ homes or in an internet café;
• overly strict filtering can also restrict useful opportunities online.

For this reason, discuss topics such as pornography, violence and radicalism in general terms as well. Information about free and paid filtering programmes, along with child-protection settings for operating systems and browsers, is available from Saferinternet.at.

Age ratings for games: PEGI, USK and IARC

Age ratings provide an initial guide when choosing digital games. The main systems are:

• PEGI (Pan-European Game Information): European age recommendation; mandatory when selling computer and console games in Vienna and Carinthia.
• USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle): German age-rating system.
• IARC (International Age Rating Coalition): makes PEGI and USK ratings available for downloadable apps and games.

A game marked PEGI 7 is not intended for children under seven, while a game marked PEGI 18 is exclusively for adults aged 18 and over. Content symbols on the back of the box explain the reason for the rating: a clenched fist indicates violence, while a spider indicates that the game may be frightening for children.

The IARC system is used by Google Play, Nintendo eShop, Oculus Store and Windows Store. The Apple App Store uses its own rating system, while Steam currently does not have complete youth-protection labelling.

Games that are specifically recommended are marked with a star. For these games, the age rating also considers whether children in the relevant age group can actually play the game.

What risks should parents watch for in games?

1. Too much playing time: gaming addiction may be involved when someone plays for hours day after day and neglects activities that used to be important.
2. Communication with strangers: this is a permanent feature in many games.
3. In-game purchases: particularly in mobile games, individual purchases costing a few euros can quickly add up to a large amount.

Support is available from Austrian family counselling centres, known as Familienberatungsstellen, and from Vienna’s Anton-Proksch-Institut.

When should you pay closer attention?

Children may encounter violence, racism or pornography online. Talking about what happened can help, especially if you also explain how it makes you feel. Disappointment and frustration are a natural part of discovering the internet.

A warning sign may be that friends stop getting in touch, or that online contacts begin to replace the child’s previous friendships.

Frequently asked questions

Is installing filtering software enough?

No. Filters can be bypassed, so conversation and jointly agreed rules are at least as important.

What does the PEGI number on a game mean?

It indicates which age group the game is suitable for. It says nothing about the game’s difficulty or its overall quality.

Is there material for very young children?

Yes. The illustrated book “Online-Zoo” introduces the internet and its risks to children aged 3-6. It is available electronically, as an e-book and as a printed picture book.

Where can parents find more tips?

Saferinternet.at provides further information, including the brochure “Schutz vor Schmutz im Internet und am Handy”.

Practical steps for parents

1. Explore the internet together and ask your child to show you the websites, apps and games they use.
2. Agree on clear, understandable rules rather than relying only on bans.
3. Use filtering software as an additional tool, particularly for younger children, but do not treat it as complete protection.
4. Check PEGI, USK or IARC information before allowing a child to download or play a game.
5. Discuss violence, racism, pornography, radicalism and contact with strangers in an age-appropriate way.
6. Monitor playing time and disable or supervise in-game purchases where appropriate.
7. If gaming or online contacts begin to replace important activities and friendships, seek help from Familienberatungsstellen or the Vienna Anton-Proksch-Institut.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at. This article is general information, not professional advice. If you need specialist guidance, consult a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional or another relevant specialist.