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Original poster

Kids emulating Squid Game

94 replies

ChuckGarabedian · 13/10/2021 22:37

For background, I saw this article earlier, and a few posts from other news outlets and local primary schools on my Facebook feed which were of a similar vein: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/schools-issue-warning-over-children-21826216

The bit about kids beating up eliminated players during playground games - has anyone actually heard of this happening in their local schools? It just seems a bit unbelievable that a significant enough number of young kids are being allowed to watch the show, so as to try and emulate the premise and trigger a national warning?!

For the record I’ve just finished watching the whole series of SG on Netflix and think it’s a brilliant show, but too violent for primary schoolers IMO.

  • [Message from MNHQ: there may be spoilers on this thread]
OP posts:
RancidOldHag · 14/10/2021 06:52

My 10 year old was playing postman's knock today. Which is now red light green light. Because of the social contagion that is squid games. That's what kids call it because they've seen it? Watched YouTube etc? Still the same game

Not the same game - Red Light Green Light is Grandmothers Footsteps or Statues, isn't it? Not Postmans Knock (a kissing game)

Mumofsend · 14/10/2021 06:52

It's hideous, no way would my DC be allowed to watch it. I use red light, green light for my 7 year old when out walking so may need a new method Blush

ViceLikeBlip · 14/10/2021 06:54

@SleepyMathematician

One of my young pupils I tutor (age 9, Year 5) came to the lesson in tears straight from school yesterday. She said she’d joined in with a game she thought was grandmothers footsteps as loads of people were playing and it looked like fun. She said they were saying red light green light but then they started pretending to shoot and and actually fighting the people who lost. She said she got scared.

The headteacher called everyone who was playing into the hall and told them all off, said they were not to play it or talk about it, and said the parents would be spoken to. I felt so sorry for her because she said she got into trouble and because she didn’t know until she started playing that it was a horrible game and it upset her. She said a lot of other children were crying too.

This child said there’s a programme about the game some of them have watched but she doesn’t know what it is. She was SO upset, poor thing, she spent half the lesson sobbing and talking it through with me.

This is most definitely happening in primary schools and is a real issue.

This is always the case isn't it? The ones who don't really need the bollocking are the ones who take it to heart, and the ones who DID need to hear it are completely unfazed by it.
Iggly · 14/10/2021 06:55

@Dontknowwhatsnext

I remember the same being said about fornite. We even got a message from school about fortniye causing violence and that primary school shouldn't play on.

When questioned further it turned out that the message was sent because some mums were concerned about it after reading other people on social media saying they knew of incidences of violence due to fornite.

But it appeared no one could actually verify any of these incidences.

I am sure some kids have watched it. Ds (11) asked to watch it. I said no, I don't even think he would get through the slow bits to even get to the first game. Entirely pointless.

But I don't think playground violence is wide spread due to it.

Fortnite was vilified because of kids getting addicted not violent. So not quite the same. Fortnite is also rated 12! A little different

That said, my 9 year old has played squid games at school but not watched it. She’s picked it up from friends who have (who’s parents have confirmed!)

I’d never let my kids watch it because it’ll no doubt scare the shit out of them.

HighlandCowbag · 14/10/2021 06:55

It's been discussed by tiktokers and you tubers as well as the actual show. My 8 year old knew the games before I even started watching it and his you tube account is set to kids mode and he doesn't have tiktok (my 17 yr old does).

The show definitely is not suitable for little kids. But tbh a child that is going to beat another child up for losing a game will also probably be watching other unsuitable stuff or have other issues.

Ive watched 3 episodes and don't know if I will bother watching the rest. It's very clever but very disturbing.

Iggly · 14/10/2021 06:56

@RancidOldHag

My 10 year old was playing postman's knock today. Which is now red light green light. Because of the social contagion that is squid games. That's what kids call it because they've seen it? Watched YouTube etc? Still the same game

Not the same game - Red Light Green Light is Grandmothers Footsteps or Statues, isn't it? Not Postmans Knock (a kissing game)

Squid games is based on simple childhood games 🤷🏻‍♀️
Ricekake · 14/10/2021 06:56

I find it hard to believe enough kids of that age are being allowed to watch such a brutally violent tv show.

I don't, a lot of parents are irresponsible or can't possibly say no to their little darlings.

ANameChangeAgain · 14/10/2021 07:01

I'm finding it all a bit hysterical. No, primary school kids shouldn't be watching it, but you don't need to watch Squid Games to know the games.
The usually good kids aren't going to turn into rampaging violent gobs over green light red light, (or what time was it Mr Wolf, as it used to be called!) but the bad kids will use it as an exuse to fight. Just deal with the bad kids and let the rest play their games. We've all seen worse fights over a football game, both in the playground and on the TV. Now my children are at senior school I'm frustrated by the petty blanket management rules with games / trips / events being banned because they can't get a grip on the badly behaved kids.

RancidOldHag · 14/10/2021 07:02

Squid games is based on simple childhood games

Yes, I think we all know that.

Still doesn't mean that red light/green light equates to postmans knock

it is interesting how childhood games are similar the whole world over. I wonder if ''twas ever thus (nature of children being a human trait) or if it's something that was shared only with the start of international travel

AnUnlikelyCombination · 14/10/2021 07:02

There was a thread last week, quite a lot of MNers we’re happy to let their DC watch it. So no, I’m not surprised that lots of primary kids have seen it. Especially as many get phones in Y5/6 which have no or inadequate internet controls, so even if they’re not watching it with their parents they can watch clips on YouTube or download and use TikTok.

PaperMonster · 14/10/2021 07:02

I do playground duty. Some of the boys were playing What Time Is It Mr Wolf? Yesterday. They don’t normally. I asked what they were playing and they said Squid Games. There was no violence in their game. They have an awareness of it, but I very much doubt they’ve watched it. Just like my ten year old has heard of it but has never watched it. Although I’m sure there are young kids out there who have watched it.

maffhew · 14/10/2021 07:02

that the old man was in on it

@Watchingyou2sleezes any need for the spoiler? Hmm

RussianSpy101 · 14/10/2021 07:04

No word from either DD (8) or her school on this. None of the parents have mentioned it but I would be very surprised if any of the children have seen it.
It’s awful if these playground things are happening but surely not?!

MumofSpud · 14/10/2021 07:09

Isn't Red Light Green Light just a version of What's the time Mr Wolf?
But instead of 'being shot' you were 'eaten alive' the 70s and 80s were much more horrific

RancidOldHag · 14/10/2021 07:10

@maffhew

that the old man was in on it

@Watchingyou2sleezes any need for the spoiler? Hmm

I thought she was making a valid point about how much primary age DC know about the series.

I've been reminded of his The Hunger Games went round primary schools when it first came out (and games were role playing the book, rather than being ordinary games with different consequences). It didn't seem to have any lasting impression on that generation, did it?

Horror stories and bogeymen are part of childhood aren't they? Modelling the terrifying but in places where they know it can't go too far

avocadotofu · 14/10/2021 07:13

I'm a primary school teacher and it's a problem at our school even with your little ones! I'm totally shocked that parents would let their children watch it!

Anonymice1 · 14/10/2021 07:16

Can’t help wondering if last nights terror attack in Norway was ’inspired’ by squid games.

ANameChangeAgain · 14/10/2021 07:21

Can’t help wondering if last nights terror attack in Norway was ’inspired’ by squid games.
Or Hunger Games, or Robin Hood, or Battle of Agincourt ...

PieMistee · 14/10/2021 07:21

It's the same every time. Dickhead parents let their Primary school children on tiktok or allow them to watch a 15 (that so should be an 18). Parents never learn. They are too lazy to say no or learn how to prevent their kids accessing it. Then everyone else's kids have to deal with the consequences.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 14/10/2021 07:22

@Anonymice1

Can’t help wondering if last nights terror attack in Norway was ’inspired’ by squid games.
Why would you wonder that?
ShepherdMoons · 14/10/2021 07:23

I've not seen this series yet, it sounds interesting.

Not something I'd want my 8 year old dd to watch though!

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 14/10/2021 07:24

@ANameChangeAgain

Can’t help wondering if last nights terror attack in Norway was ’inspired’ by squid games. Or Hunger Games, or Robin Hood, or Battle of Agincourt ...
Or Arrow .
ANameChangeAgain · 14/10/2021 07:31

@AccidentallyOnPurpose I had to Google Arrow 😆

Crunchymum · 14/10/2021 07:37

We've also had a message from the (primary) school about it.

I am watching it - I'm on episode 6 - but my DC have had no exposure to it.

I did however find the 9yo watching something on YouTube (it was a gamer, playing a computer game thay featured the tug of war from one of the episodes? All very "old world" computer graphics and not at all like the actual programme) but I made him turn it off immediately. Kids only have access to YouTube via the TV in the living room timelimited so I can keep an eye.

Usually they watch pretty innocuous stuff. DC didn't know what he was watching (IE he didn't know what Squid Game was)

This was a few days before the email came out!!

Ricekake · 14/10/2021 07:43

@Anonymice1

Can’t help wondering if last nights terror attack in Norway was ’inspired’ by squid games.
Why? There's nothing about it that suggests this.