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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Squid games

352 replies

Poppetts1234 · 02/10/2021 17:51

I know a mum that allows her 9 year old to watch this.

I’m really interested to see how many parents are ok with this?

AIBU to be a bit shocked about this?

Yes I should mind my own business but I’d be really interested to hear others opinions

OP posts:
Smashingspinster · 02/10/2021 21:02

@Mrgrinch

Those who happily allow their children to watch this (and similar) do you ever stop to think about what lasting effect this may have on them? Shocking.
This. Children dont possess the capability to regulate themselves. Being relaxed about what they watch just sounds lazy.
Sometimeswinning · 02/10/2021 21:05

@Dillyjones72 exactly what I think about you. Double standards thrown in. Violence is violence. You just pick and choose which violence is acceptable. FYI I dont watch GOT. Far too violent for me.

Dillyjones72 · 02/10/2021 21:06

When everyone was talking about Stranger Things out 10 year old BEGGED to be allowed to
Watch it. It was the cool thing to talk about in
School. EVERYONE else was watching it.
So, as it’s a 15,
Violent and dark we said no. As did most other parents- apart from those 1 or 2( you know the ‘cool’ parents)
That’s what parenting is about… protecting,
Guiding kids.

Sparklesocks · 02/10/2021 21:10

@Sometimeswinning

Minecraft, the cartoon blocks building game? Oh yes exactly the same as Squid Game, but perhaps I missed the level where the little square men’s brains splatter over the floor in high resolution. My mistake.

Where they beat an animal to death for food?? Creatures stalk and kill them? Honestly, talk yourself out of it but if squid game was animated that would be OK?

Genuinely one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever read on here. If you can’t understand why the hyper animated cartoon blocks dying in a game and a tv show where people get shot in the face isn’t quite the same level as violence then - I can’t help you I’m afraid. It’s just too complex apparently…
Sometimeswinning · 02/10/2021 21:15

I can’t help you I’m afraid. It’s just too complex apparently…

Thats OK @Sparklesocks You obviously only half hearted believe in what you're saying.

SuperstoreFan · 02/10/2021 21:18

Wait, people are comparing Minecraft to Squid Game?

😂

SpeedRunParent · 02/10/2021 21:18

Why do we need to pollute our children's thoughts with such ultra violence? Associations made in our youth can last a lifetime. It doesn't mean that they'll turn into psychopaths, but don't people ever consider that once we see something we can never unsee it? There is so much else to watch, why show children that?

Sparklesocks · 02/10/2021 21:19

@SuperstoreFan

Wait, people are comparing Minecraft to Squid Game?

😂

Yep all violence in media is equal apparently with no nuance or levels of extremity! Tom and Jerry is basically Hostel don’t you know Grin
Sometimeswinning · 02/10/2021 21:20

Wait, people are comparing Minecraft to Squid Game?

Just me. Hth Grin

purpleboy · 02/10/2021 21:23

I'm actually quite concerned about some of these comments.
Let kids be kids for fucks sake.

DogFoodPie · 02/10/2021 21:25

I enjoyed this but I wouldn't let a child watch it. It's disturbing and graphic.

Garriet · 02/10/2021 21:36

@Poppetts1234

Can’t help but think of Venables and Thompson. Their parents exposed them to extreme films like Chucky and IT and we all know that outcome
Definitely more to their upbringing than just this.

I watched horror movies from around the age of 8/9. Every Friday we’d be taken to the video library (yes that dates me) and we’d pick a movie or two, me and my younger sister always headed straight for the horror. Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Phantasm, Amityville, you name it we chose it. Only Freddy Krueger ever scared me and now I’m almost entirely unscare-able. Sadly.

Would I parent like that? No, and I’d not let a 9yo watch Squid Game. Maybe at 12 if they were sensible and fairly robust.

SquirrelFan · 02/10/2021 21:39

My 17 yr old showed me a clip form it. I was sort of despairing, really--two desperate people were shot in two minutes. I wouldn't let a nine year old watch it, I don't think it's healthy for anyone. Especially if they think it's funny.

SquirrelFan · 02/10/2021 21:40
  • from it...
Garriet · 02/10/2021 21:40

Btw I also think Squid Game is “worse” than supernatural based horror like Friday 13th, as the evil is very human, rather than some made up fictional monster.

MancMum2000 · 02/10/2021 21:46

Anyone who lets their 9 year old watch things like that is a truly shitty parent imo. What exactly is the value of them seeing it? There’s plenty of other age appropriate content available. I’d also be worried about them talking about it to other kids at school and frightening them.

YerWanIsGettinNotions · 02/10/2021 21:54

I'm not a horror fan. But have been watching Squid game - it's very well made and while gory, it's thankfully not torture porn.

However DS is just turned 9 and loves horror/gory stuff. (He always has. Our sitting room door faces the stairs and we'd leave it open a crack to hear the kids - when we were watching Stranger Things we kept catching him in the doorway absolutely fascinated.)

I've been out a few nights this week and DH has been doing evenings, and we found out yesterday when I got home that DS has been switching the Netflix settings over to DH's account to watch it with headphones in, so we can't hear him, and has nearly finished the Squid Game series. 😖

I am appalled but he’s seen it now... I feel like we need to not make it a big deal but we can't have any play dates until he’s seen the last one and had time to forget about it, because the last thing I want is him showing his friends.

Which has happened before - DH changed the disney plus settings so he could watch some of the marvel movies (I think, or maybe it was the mandalorian) back in lockdown while we were working and then we found he was watching Family Guy and telling his mates on Fortnite that he was allowed...!

Oblomov21 · 02/10/2021 22:01

Ds1 said it was totally unsuitable for a 13 year old. It would appear not, per this thread.

ElvisPresleyHadABaby · 02/10/2021 22:05

My 19yo hasn't watched past the first episode as doesn't love gore. To show a 9yo would be absolute madness, that poor child. I still remember the man getting shot in the head in Der Untergang and how that played on my mind for weeks.

Birdkin · 02/10/2021 22:19

@Sparklesocks

Even aside from the gore/violence I think kids that young would be upset because the series is good at establishing likeable characters you root for and then quickly dispatches them in horrible ways. It’s quite upsetting even for adults!
Yes some of the later deaths are really emotionally brutal! Even in you think your child isn’t bothered by gore in the abstract are they really going to be ok with seeing a character they’re rooting for graphically murdered?
JesusIsAnyNameFree · 02/10/2021 22:29

I don't think an adult should watch it, let alone a child Grin

SnowyQueen · 02/10/2021 22:39

It’s an amazing tv show… but only for over 15s. It is incredibly violent, bloody and emotional. Some sex scenes too.

SnowyQueen · 02/10/2021 22:43

@YerWanIsGettinNotions you let your 9yo watch Squid Games? That is neglect.

Bumblenums1234 · 02/10/2021 22:44

@SheABitSpicyToday

I would’ve watched it at 9 but I wouldn’t let my daughter watch it at 9!
Haha same and no, my parents would not have known or allowed it
Briony123 · 02/10/2021 23:11

My 9 yr old would be a) bored out of her mind and then b) utterly terrified. She is also far too young to understand the themes.
Utterly gripping for us adults though!

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