Topics: Social Media, UK News
UK police have explained the circumstances surrounding a young boy's death after it was initially linked to an online Squid Game challenge.
The South Korean Netflix show has been a popular hit around the world, with around 265.2 million views, per the streaming platform.
And like many, 12-year-old Sebastian Cizman was a fan of the show.
Tragically, however, the young boy was pronounced dead after he was discovered unresponsive on the stairs of his Glasshoughton house in West Yorkshire back in June.
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According to an inquest heard this week at Wakefield Coroner's Court, he was found by a cousin with a sheet wrapped around his neck, and he had searched online for a video on YouTube about administering first aid to oneself.
The inquest also heard how when Sebastian was discovered unresponsive, an image was found on his phone showing a Squid Game character who had been hanged to death.
It is believed he had attempted a social media challenge where children choke themselves until they lose consciousness.
However, Det Sgt Paul Bayliss of West Yorkshire Police investigated the theory that Sebastian's death was connected to the Squid Game character's death - and concluded there was no direct link between his death and the challenges.
Instead, the coroner confirmed earlier this week that his death was a result of misadventure.
His family was celebrating the First Holy Communion of his younger brother when he was found, and now his parents are trying to change what children can see online to prevent more deaths.
With an age rating of 15 in the UK, caution is advised to those who are watching Squid Game under the advertised age range due to its themes of violence and bad language.
ITV News reports how Marcin and Katarzyna Cizman, the young boy’s parents, said they had previously talked to their son about the danger of online challenges, and he allegedly shared that he would not take part in them.
It is also reported that he had previously pretended to be unconscious during a bout of playfighting.
According to his parents, he was happy and had no mental health problems, and they have now appealed for social media companies to work harder to prevent children from seeing dangerous social media challenges.
Sebastian's mother told the Daily Mail in July: “How many kids have to die until they will do something? My message to other parents is [to] check your children’s phones before it is too late.”
As of right now, the age limit on social media platforms is a minimum of 13 years old; however, it was reported that Sebastian did have access to it at the age of 12.
In 2025, the Times Crime and Justice Commission recommended a similar method to Australia to protect children online by banning under-16s. However, this did not pass as a bill in the UK.
Tyla has reached out to Netflix for comment.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
