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11.04.2025

The “Games in the family” offer – Educational assessments of popular video games

☕️
3 minutes reading time
6-17 years
Information
Safety
Games
Tool description
Copyright: Thomas Imo/photothek.net

Children and young people are enthusiastic about mobile, computer and console games on platforms such as Xbox, PC, Playstation or Nintendo Switch. The “Games in the family” information service from the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) offers educational assessments of popular games and helps parents keep track of them.

In a nutshell:

  • Educational assessments of popular games for children and young people
  • Assessments of game content, learning potential and risks
  • Parents’ guide with tips on media education
  • Free of charge, without advertising, independent and publicly financed (bpb)
  • With accompanying offers such as parents’ evenings (parents’ LAN)

What does “Games in the family” offer?

The offer includes a selection of game reviews – from particularly popular titles to games with a learning effect. In addition to the game description, the reviews also contain information on genre, game mode (e.g. single or multiplayer), playing time, recommended age group and supported platforms. This makes it easier for parents to assess whether a game is suitable for their everyday family life. In addition, each review provides an educational assessment that highlights learning objectives and potential risks such as violent content or an excessive reward system.

In addition to the game ratings, “Games in the Family” offers a compact parents’ guide that answers questions about the everyday use of media and video games. For example:

  • What should be considered when choosing video games?
  • How can playtimes with children be arranged?
  • At what point are certain gambling habits questionable?

An extensive glossary also explains important terms from the gaming world – from “loot boxes” to “open world”.

Is “Games in the family” also something for children and young people?

Young people can find out about current games and thus better assess for themselves which game is suitable for their age. This promotes their media skills and helps them to reflect on their own gaming preferences.

What should parents pay attention to?

The educational assessments of the bpbdiffersignificantly in some cases from the age ratings of the USK. While the USK looks at content risks (e.g. violence or scary moments) and usage risks (e.g. chats or in-game purchases) on the basis of the German Youth Protection Act, the bpb takes into account factors such as game depth, emotional impact and understanding of age.

A game can be approved by the USK from the age of 6, but only be recommended by the bpb from the age of 12, for example because it contains complex content or online interactions.

Ideally, take several factors into account when choosing a game. Every child develops individually and reacts differently. Get different opinions, talk to other parents and try out games yourself if possible. Accompany your child in everyday play, talk about game content – and listen to why a game fascinates.

Don’t ban digital games outright, explain your concerns. This will help your child understand why they are not (yet) allowed to play a certain game.

The bpb offers a supplementary event format with the Parents’ LAN: parents’ evenings, which usually take place from 7.20 p.m. to 10 p.m., where adults can play games themselves to learn about the fascination and challenges of digital games. With pedagogical support, we discuss how media education can succeed – also in dialog with children.

Further information

In addition to the “Games in the family” service, it is also worth taking a look at the NRW games guide, a comprehensive information portal for the educational evaluation of digital games. It is also aimed at parents, professionals and young people and is compiled by media educators together with young players.

Are you looking for spielbar.de?

The former website www.spielbar.de was integrated into the website of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) at the beginning of 2025. Content that was previously available on Spielbar is now part of ” Games in the family“. The new service offers a better overview, an improved search function and new formats – such as video reviews. Anyone who wants to use games specifically in schools or political education will also find the new ” Games for political education“.

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