A device for recognizing a child's seat which is strapped to the front passenger's seat of a motor vehicle is provided. Such a device is required in order to inhibit release of a front seat passenger's side airbag when a child's seat is strapped on the front passenger's seat. An identification carrier, for example, an electrical tuned circuit or an intelligent data carrier, which attenuates an electromagnetic measurement field in a characteristic manner, is fitted to the child's seat. The presence and, possibly, also the type of child's seat used can be recorded.