Children Are Copying Terrifying Squid Games

Schools have warned parents not to let children watch Squid Game after kids were caught acting out scenes from the show.

Kids around the country are said to be asking teachers to play some of the games in the South Korean series, which depicts a group of debt-ridden contestants taking on childhood games for the chance of winning a huge sum of money.

The catch? If you lose, you die.

Obviously the same bloodthirsty rules don't apply when kids are playing the game at school, but parents have reported concerns that children could end up being part of copycat attacks.

In fact, one school in Belgium also warned kids have been mimicking the show's outcome by children beating up the eliminated players.

Netflix)

One dad said his children's school in Ilford, east London, warned parents in a letter about kids playing their own version of Squid Game, adding that he was told that parents could be sanctioned over it.

He tweeted: "Can't believe my kids' school has had to send a letter telling parents that kids are playing their own version of Squid Game and that parents will have sanctions applied if their kids mimic Squid Game.

"The popularity of this show is next level."

Sandown School in Deal, Kent, issued extra lessons on violence and online harm as a response to the show's popularity.

A spokeswoman for the school said Key Stage 2 teachers have given their pupils extra lessons on online safety and the dangers of watching content that is "not age appropriate".

She said: "We are always updating our advice to the parents and children, it's something we are constantly updating.

"As a response to this show and others we have put on extra lessons about violence and online harms."

Goodwin Academy, another school in Deal, confirmed its safeguarding team sent a letter to parents regarding age concerns over the content in the series, written by Hwang Dong-hyuk who himself suffered poverty during the 10 years he spent trying to get the show made.

One parent who lives in Deal wrote on social media: "We've received 2 school letters (primary/secondary) warning parents about letting kids watch 'Squid Game'. I'm starting to think a more general letter about parental responsibility might be more useful. Keep an eye on your kids' media consumption people."

Squid Game has been rated appropriate for viewers aged 15 and older and Netflix gives a series of content warnings including sex, violence and suicide.

Netflix)

John Jolly, CEO of Parentkind, a charity network of PTA fundraisers in the UK, said: "Where there are safeguarding concerns, especially when children younger than the 15 rating are watching the show at home, parents need to exercise judgement as to whether or not it's suitable for their child.

"They should use parental supervision to decide, just as they should when it comes to any entertainment containing adult themes that their child wishes to see.

"Where there are specific worries, we encourage schools to work in partnership with parents as they have done in Kent.

"This will increase parental awareness of the issues and ensure that parents can reinforce the school's values in the home."

Squid Game was originally written in 2008, but was not picked up by a studio for more than 10 years.

Now given a huge platform via the streaming site, the show taps into South Korean themes about class and poverty that also ran through the Oscar-winning film Parasite.

Topics: TV And Film

Joanna Freedman

Joanna has worked at Tyla for the last two years, and has a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman