Would you talk to school about this? Squid Games.

[SaveWaterDrinkGin]

My daughter is in year one. On the way to school today she asked me if I knew how to play the Squid Game. I asked her how she knew about it and she said she played it with a girl in her class. I know this girl has an older brother (only two or three years older) but to be honest I doubt either of them have watched it, but they’ve obviously got it from somewhere. I’ve seen it and my daughter described some pretty specific actions from the programme. She also said the girl pretends to shoot them if they loose the game.

Would you flag this to teachers? They’re 5 and 6 😱

Sorry, just to add I told my daughter that it came from a tv programme that children shouldn’t be watching so it was probably best she didn’t play it again.

Yes I would. Children watching 18 films and programmes is a safeguarding issue. It's the safeguarding lead to speak to though, rather than the class teacher.

I'd mention it to the school so they're aware. Unfortunately I don't think this is unusual. My 6 year olds primary school emailed parents about children playing Squid Game in the playground. They said that if they are playing the traditional (non violent!) version then they'll allow it, but if the children are seen trying to replicate any of the violence seen in the Netflix show, they'll be stopping them. They then went on to say how inappropriate it was for primary aged children to be watching it and that parents need to monitor this closely. I was quite shocked because I've seen the Netflix show (it was great!!) but it's 100% not suitable for young children and I know my 6 year old wouldn't sleep for months if he saw it! I did ask my 6 year old about it but he didn't seem aware of anything so I just left it.

Yes, this is a safeguarding issue. Definitely raise with the school.

Yes, just email the school FAO the designated safeguarding lead, explain what you've put here, and ask that your safeguarding concern is recorded and that you are notified that the concern has been recorded and acted upon as per their safeguarding policy.

They can't tell you what actions they're taking (unless they are about your own child) but they can tell you that your concern has been recorded and is being dealt with.

Most schools have had to deal with the squid games thing - the number of young kids I saw at Halloween dressed in squid games costumes was appalling - so they will be perfectly able to act on this.

I know for sure 2 of our local primaries sent out newsletters regarding Squid Games.
I don't think the DC are watching it on Netflix, apparently there's versions of it on Youtube, TicTok etc, which are done by the same content creators of Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite etc. gaming - the channels where DC watch someone play the games and discuss them.

Definitely tell the school so parents can keep an eye on what else the DC are watching or are up to online.

This stuff does filter down from older siblings, and the playground games element of SG is likely to appeal to them.
Several years ago in primary school both my children were very concerned about Killer Clowns.
They were convinced they existed in real life and were a genuine concern.

None of my children have ever watched squid game but like a PP there are versions of it on Youtube etc. My 6yo twins like a youtuber called prestonplayz who did a minecraft version of it. So they could sort of talk about it but they are certainly not watching an 18!

Yes it filters down. Teenagers are watching it and replicating it in "cool" youtube things that then appeal to younger children.

I'd speak to the school. Ds1 is 6 and mentioned red light, green light recently. I asked him how to play it and he described it just as grandmother's footsteps. I asked what happened if you moved on green, he said you were out. So I wasn't too worried. That is after all the original concept I think.

By Squid Game does she mean what we used to call “grandmother’s footsteps “ for the Green light/Red light? And not the whole thing
It’s not great and you need to keep an eye on it but unfortunately these things DO filter down from older kids - although no Primary age child should watch Squid Games.

Yes, basically grandmothers footsteps except they have to pretend to wear helmets and if they lose they get ‘shot’. Pretty specific to the tv show I’d say!

I’ve emailed to school, relayed the conversation factually and left it with them to do as they see fit.