Welcome to the FSM website.

FSM is a registered association founded in 1997 by e-commerce alliances and companies dedicated to the protection of the youth and minors. As an organisation for the voluntary self-control of the internet, the FSM is operating a hotline that deals with reports on illegal or harmful web content that any person or organisation may report.

The hotline activities are regulated by the Complaint Rules of FSM. In addition to the hotline work, FSM provides information and advice on media youth protection, related technologies and responsible media usage, available to the public.

In 1999, FSM co-founded an international association of internet hotline providers called INHOPE. As of now, more than 20 internet hotlines located in Europe and world-wide joined INHOPE. The mission of INHOPE is to facilitate and coordinate the work of internet hotlines in responding to illegal use and content on the Internet.

In 2005, the FSM was acknowledged as an institution of Voluntary Self-Monitoring by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz - KJM). The association offers proper members to join the "regulated self-regulation”, a model intended in the German "Inter-State Treaty for the Protection of Human Dignity and the Protection of Minors in Broadcasting and in Telemedia” (JMStV). Furthermore, they can engage the FSM in conflicts with the KJM. The member companies reap the privileges of a membership in an acknowledged Self-Regulation Agency, which has been intended in the JMStV.

We hope that you will find our information helpful. For further questions, please contact the FSM office.

FSM board of directors