What you need to know about the Squid Game
The Squid Game is a South Korean drama series currently airing on Netflix and is the number one top rated show in over ninety countries. The show is centred around a series of children’s games that hundred’s of cash strapped players are invited to compete in for a tempting prize. Some of the most popular and innocent children’s games from the 1970’s and 1980’s are reinvented but there is a catch however, losers must pay with their lives.
Whilst there are overwhelmingly positive reviews about this series parents should know that the level of violence is highly intense and it is not suitable for primary school children and young teens.
It is highly likely that children who have access to a Netflix account without restrictions or to social media accounts like Tik Tok have already seen Squid Game or at least potentially disturbing scenes from it. Trending videos from the show are on Tik Tok’s “For You” pages that show graphic images that parents probably do not want children to see.
Netflix has rated Squid Game MA15+ in Australia but some countries are rating it R18+ due to the high level of violence and frightening and intense scenes. The impact of the scenes and the possible desensitisation to extreme violence should be considered.
If children have already viewed the series or watched scenes parents should discuss the themes and challenges that are raised with their children.
Linda James
Counsellor