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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:
Rollergirl11 · 03/10/2021 11:24

[quote whentheearthchanged]@Waxonwaxoff0 you draw the line at abuse. Emotional, physical, sexual, neglect. Letting your child watch something that you as their parent believe they are mature enough to handle and have had a discussion with them about the content is not abuse. All children are different, and what may be okay for one 9 year old, is not for another. That's why it is up to the parent to decide. If the child is upset by the content then of course you would turn it off. It's fake though and my child is able to comprehend that and see it for what it is. [/quote]
Can you give me one solid reason how a 9 year old benefits from watching this program at this age?

whentheearthchanged · 03/10/2021 11:26

@DumplingsAndStew

If the child is upset by the content then of course you would turn it off.

You don't think it's too late by this point?

That's like saying "My child doesn't have to wear a seat belt. If they had a serious injury from being in a motor accident, then we'd make them wear a seat belt going forward." Or even "I've told my 13yo to just have sex with someone. If they don't like it, they don't have to do it again".

Not comparable whatsoever
anon12345678901 · 03/10/2021 11:29

[quote whentheearthchanged]@anon12345678901 it's up to the parent, no one else should pass judgement. End of. [/quote]
No it's really not. I will judge someone for having a shit attitude towards parenting.

DumplingsAndStew · 03/10/2021 11:32

@whentheearthchanged

I'd be interested if you could attempt to explain why you don't think it's comparable.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/10/2021 11:32

[quote whentheearthchanged]@Waxonwaxoff0 you draw the line at abuse. Emotional, physical, sexual, neglect. Letting your child watch something that you as their parent believe they are mature enough to handle and have had a discussion with them about the content is not abuse. All children are different, and what may be okay for one 9 year old, is not for another. That's why it is up to the parent to decide. If the child is upset by the content then of course you would turn it off. It's fake though and my child is able to comprehend that and see it for what it is. [/quote]
I really don't understand why you'd think to let a 9 year old watch stuff like this in the first place though. I don't watch Squid Game and think oooh, I should put this on for DS.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/10/2021 11:38

My 8&10yos are currently deciding which disney film they want tonwatch tonight. They may be a bit on the sheltered side, but I'd prefer that to watching a programme whose premise is people getting killed for entertainment...
Maybe adults find these things more disturbing as we realise how messed up the whole thing is.

(I sort of feel that way about Hunger Games, but at least the point of that was it was acknowledged to be messed up and wrong)

Pinkbonbon · 03/10/2021 11:41

By 11 I think I'd allow it as it raises some great issues around morality. I think 9 is probably too young though. But then, I watched jurassic park at at that age and that shit was way worse.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/10/2021 11:46

@Pinkbonbon

By 11 I think I'd allow it as it raises some great issues around morality. I think 9 is probably too young though. But then, I watched jurassic park at at that age and that shit was way worse.
Really? Jurassic Park worse than Squid Game? There's barely even any blood in that, it's rated PG!
lawofdistraction · 03/10/2021 11:58

[quote whentheearthchanged]@lawofdistraction 'Why can't you wait until she's in bed to watch it? This is such bloody dreadful parenting'

Oh do be quiet! Who do you think you are to pass judgement on my parenting and another thing, why in the world would you think I'd give a fuck? The OP asked a question, I answered it. Every parent and every child is different, keep your judgements to yourself, no one asked for them. [/quote]
@whentheearthchanged

It's literally what the thread is about. You're announcing on a public forum that you're letting an 8yo watch it so yes I will pass judgement on your neglectful parenting. Every child might be different but there is absolutely no way an 8yo has the capacity to deal with what you're letting them see. Whether you give a fuck or not is up to you but you're failing her.

Pinkbonbon · 03/10/2021 11:59

@Waxonwaxoff0

A dinosaur eats a man whole and two smaller ones stalk children.

Squid games, people get shot by guns. Its not scary.

whentheearthchanged · 03/10/2021 12:06

[quote DumplingsAndStew]@whentheearthchanged

I'd be interested if you could attempt to explain why you don't think it's comparable.[/quote]
Absolutely. Number 1 - riding in the car without a seatbelt is illegal, as is having sex at 13. Both of which could have very serious physical consequences. Sitting in your own home, safe with a parent and watching a bit of gore on tv which your parent has chatted with you about and you are very aware it is not real, all make up and acting amounts to zero chance of physical consequences.

In relation to emotional reactions, if I think my child is mature enough to deal with it then that is my decision. If an emotional reaction should arise then that is on me as the parent to deal with such consequences. But it seriously is not up to anyone else to pass comment.

whentheearthchanged · 03/10/2021 12:07

@lawofdistraction failing her in what way though? What do you think the outcome is going to be of allowing my 8 year old in the room whilst it's on?

Furries · 03/10/2021 12:09

I’m only up to episode 4. I don’t think it’s suitable for a 9 year-old.

A bit surprised that a couple of people have described the violence as slapstick. I don’t see anything slapstick in any of the eliminations.

Interesting to see how defensive some people are re letting their kids watch it.

Furries · 03/10/2021 12:10

[quote Pinkbonbon]@Waxonwaxoff0

A dinosaur eats a man whole and two smaller ones stalk children.

Squid games, people get shot by guns. Its not scary.[/quote]
Jesus Christ. Please tell me you’re joking with this comment.

HungryHippo11 · 03/10/2021 12:14

What would be the benefit of showing it to a child?
Would they enjoy it? Probably not. Not any more than an age appropriate film which they can actually follow and understand

lawofdistraction · 03/10/2021 12:16

[quote whentheearthchanged]@lawofdistraction failing her in what way though? What do you think the outcome is going to be of allowing my 8 year old in the room whilst it's on? [/quote]
@whentheearthchanged you run the very real risk of your child being traumatised by what they see.

Pinkbonbon · 03/10/2021 12:17

@Furries
What part?

I'm not saying a 9 year old should be allowed to watch squid games btw. I'm just saying that jurassic Park is way more likely to mess your child up. Kids are not scared of gore. But giant monsters that ear people alive, that's the shit that'll give them nightmares.

Rollergirl11 · 03/10/2021 12:18

@HungryHippo11 that’s what I asked. It just seems so unnecessary. I can’t think of one reason why a 9 year old needs to see this program at the age of 9. Or 8 in the instance of this particular poster.

Passmeamenuatthetottenham · 03/10/2021 12:25

[quote whentheearthchanged]@lawofdistraction failing her in what way though? What do you think the outcome is going to be of allowing my 8 year old in the room whilst it's on? [/quote]
The question should be: what does your 8 year-old get out of being exposed to content such as that in Squid Game? How does it benefit her?

Lucked · 03/10/2021 12:29

I can’t believe that people’s thinking that because Horrible Histories and Minecraft are suitable for children Squid Game is too.

I am surprised that some people seem only to be concerned bout exposing there children to sex. It is not just sex and violence I take care with, challenging and dark themes which need to be explored in a way that is appropriate for children. Literature and film/tv is a great way to explore this but you can’t just drop them into perverse adult ideas that have been imagined by, and are developed for, people who already understand these complexities.

Feenie · 03/10/2021 12:44

Those parents who let their kids watch this kind of stuff - you are immediately referred to the safeguarding team at primary school. Your child's CP file is hand delivered to their high school later on. Even if nothing else ever comes of it, you are immediately marked down as a complete arsehole.

Birdkin · 03/10/2021 12:48

For those letting young children watch it and saying no one can judge I do hope you realise if your child talks about it at school it will be logged as a safeguarding concern and you will be called in for a meeting.

whentheearthchanged · 03/10/2021 13:18

@Feenie

Those parents who let their kids watch this kind of stuff - you are immediately referred to the safeguarding team at primary school. Your child's CP file is hand delivered to their high school later on. Even if nothing else ever comes of it, you are immediately marked down as a complete arsehole.
My daughter knows better than to mention to anyone at school. Just like how she knows there are certain words she can use at home but not at school.
Passmeamenuatthetottenham · 03/10/2021 13:22

Yes, at my school if an 8 or 9 year old was heard talking about Squid Game or GOT or similar and that they had watched it, it would be definitely logged on the safeguarding/incidents system. It wouldn't be escalated any further than that for just that, but that log will stay on your child's file all through their school years.

Passmeamenuatthetottenham · 03/10/2021 13:23

My daughter knows better than to mention to anyone at school.

What do you mean 'knows better*? Shock