jugendgefährdende

Jugendgefährdende is an adjective used in German-speaking contexts to describe content or media that could endanger the physical or mental development or safety of minors (under 18). The term is applied in law, regulation, and media classification to denote works that should not be freely accessible to young audiences.

In Germany, the Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien (BPjM) is the central authority that assesses media and can place titles on the index or prohibit distribution to minors. The assessment operates under the Jugendmedienschutzgesetz (JMStG) and related regulations, which set out criteria and procedures for classification, marking, and access restrictions. Similar mechanisms exist in other German-speaking jurisdictions, though the exact institutions and rules may differ.

Criteria commonly considered include depictions of sexual acts involving minors, exploitative or pornographic content, extreme or gratuitous violence, content that glorifies or encourages illegal activities, and material that could facilitate harm to minors or normalise dangerous behavior. The evaluation focuses on the potential impact on a broad audience of young people and on how access to the material could influence their behavior or well-being.

Consequences for media deemed jugendgefährdend range from restrictions on sale, rental, or advertising to minors, to removal from circulation or prohibition in certain distribution channels. In digital contexts, platforms may implement age gates or remove restricted content to comply with regulatory findings.

The designation is intended to protect youth but remains a subject of public debate, balancing protection with concerns about censorship and freedom of expression.