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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Squid games advice

44 replies

Noideawhatimdoing40 · 27/01/2025 21:42

I watched squid games series one alone when it first came out. My 12yo recently asked if we could watch it together as his friend at school had seen it and he wants to chat with him about it. I’d forgotten a lot but agreed. It’s just on the boundary of me being ok with him watching it, but I’ve not seen season 2…anyone have any opinions on whether you’d let your 12yo watch it. Thanks. I don’t want to traumatise my son.

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 27/01/2025 21:44

I wouldn't. But then I don't think the first season was anywhere close to appropriate for a 12 year old.

Pixilicious1 · 27/01/2025 21:45

There’s no way I’d let my 12yo watch it.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 27/01/2025 21:47

It's still as bloody, there's a threat of sexual abuse, they try and work together a lot more but Mingle is... very intense
And then the "Special Game" begins which is quite bloody
And then it's kind of just like an action film tbh

Trying not to give spoilers. Depends how well he can handle blood and very intense action

Sometimeswinning · 27/01/2025 21:47

Mine did. They’re not traumatised by it. Both were 12 when they watched it I think. Ds may have been 11.

MissUltraViolet · 27/01/2025 21:47

My 12yo DD and all her friends have seen it. I have seen it, bit boring.

Season 2 isn't any worse than 1, probably not as bad actually.

TappyGilmore · 27/01/2025 21:48

Season 2 is more violent than season 1, but it’s so over the top that it’s almost comical and unrealistic. I watched it with DD15, I didn’t want her to watch it alone.

I would probably say for both seasons, age 12 upwards with parental guidance is okay (yes I know that’s not what the rating says).

Original poster
Noideawhatimdoing40 · 28/01/2025 08:31

Thanks for the comments. I think I’m going to say no to season 2. He’s a very mature/sensible 12 year old but he’s also very sensitive.

OP posts:
Sharptonguedwoman · 28/01/2025 08:33

Noideawhatimdoing40 · 27/01/2025 21:42

I watched squid games series one alone when it first came out. My 12yo recently asked if we could watch it together as his friend at school had seen it and he wants to chat with him about it. I’d forgotten a lot but agreed. It’s just on the boundary of me being ok with him watching it, but I’ve not seen season 2…anyone have any opinions on whether you’d let your 12yo watch it. Thanks. I don’t want to traumatise my son.

It's really not appropriate under 15.

Sharptonguedwoman · 28/01/2025 08:34

MissUltraViolet · 27/01/2025 21:47

My 12yo DD and all her friends have seen it. I have seen it, bit boring.

Season 2 isn't any worse than 1, probably not as bad actually.

Goodness. I'd not a 12 yr old anywhere near that,

batshitaboutcatshit · 28/01/2025 08:35

I wouldn't let my 12 yr old watch, and I'm a fairly lenient parent.

BeCyanSloth · 28/01/2025 08:36

My 12 year old has watched it he is not traumatized
I think season 1 is more violent than season 2

ShyTealBiscuit · 28/01/2025 08:39

Season one has a naked man trying to force another man to give him oral sex. And you guys are letting your 12yo's watch it? 🤯

HeronWing · 28/01/2025 08:41

DS is 12 and all his classmates have apparently watched both seasons. I experimentally watched the first episode of season 1 with him and he decided, quite rightly, it’s not for him. It’s not for me, either!

RealHousewivesOfTaunton · 28/01/2025 08:42

I wouldn't let my 12yo watch either season. I'm not comfortable about my nearly-15yo watching it either, but accept it's a big topic of conversation among his peer group.

batshitaboutcatshit · 28/01/2025 08:42

If you on IMDB, as well as the age rating they have a Parents Guide which is really helpful in pinpointing what makes it a 15.

For example, I'm fine with my kids watching Venom but wouldn't let them watch Deadpool.

CockSpadget · 28/01/2025 08:42

Im not letting my 13yo watch it. It’s pretty violent and gory in the last couple of episodes.

RaininSummer · 28/01/2025 08:46

I think I am a bit traumatized by the fact that 12 year olds are not traumatized by it. When did people get so blase about such violence even if fictional?

MumonabikeE5 · 28/01/2025 08:51

I think it was poor judgement on the other parents side, and that you should stick to the boundary. I enjoyed it, but it is grossly violent and the ideas are pretty heavy.

fruitbrewhaha · 28/01/2025 08:54

My 15 yo hasn’t watched it yet. Definitely not my 12 yo. There’s so much tv out there to watch. Why push it?

rewilded · 28/01/2025 08:57

HeronWing · 28/01/2025 08:41

DS is 12 and all his classmates have apparently watched both seasons. I experimentally watched the first episode of season 1 with him and he decided, quite rightly, it’s not for him. It’s not for me, either!

I agree but I watched it with my DD and fast-forwarded a lot of the gruesome bits. I didn't want to her to watch it without me at a friend's etc. I found it good to watch together as it opened a lot of debate around money and violence and also that programmes like this shouldn't be made that glorify violence etc.

CeramideSkin · 28/01/2025 08:59

I wouldn’t have let my kids watch either series aged 12.

rewilded · 28/01/2025 09:00

ShyTealBiscuit · 28/01/2025 08:39

Season one has a naked man trying to force another man to give him oral sex. And you guys are letting your 12yo's watch it? 🤯

No I fast-forwarded those bits!

Summerdew · 28/01/2025 09:01

Age ratings tend to be there for a reason, there might be no apparent trauma or nightmares etc but children’s brains are still developing and they are still growing their own moral compasses. If you’re exposing them to violence it can become normalised, as can sexual assault etc. A lot of people are horrified at teenagers watching porn and there is outcry from some people over how porn has changed teenage attitudes to sex and women, I’m unable to comprehend how violent films can be seen differently (prepares to be flamed for daring to suggest there could be similarities!)

ChristmasPudd1990 · 28/01/2025 09:01

My almost 13 year old has watched both. Husband watched before to make sure. Season 2 didn't require any fast forwarding but the first season did.

rewilded · 28/01/2025 09:04

ChristmasPudd1990 · 28/01/2025 09:01

My almost 13 year old has watched both. Husband watched before to make sure. Season 2 didn't require any fast forwarding but the first season did.

That is a relief. Thanks for the heads up.

I really enjoyed the spin off game of Squid Games. I wish they would make more of those as they are great fun for all the family. I preferred it to Traitors.