School issues warning to parents over Netflix show Squid Game

The show is based around a competition whereby debt-ridden contestants risk their lives to compete in playground games for a huge cash prize – although a school has warned of its graphic nature

A school has issued a warning to parents about the popular Netflix show, Squid Game.

The school in Teesside has asked parents not to allow their children to watch the show due to the nature of the content, TeessideLive reports.

The South Korean show has seen huge success and has become Netflix’s most watched show in 90 countries.

The series follows a group of contestants who are crippled by debt compete in six rounds that are based on childhood playground games.

Each contestant is competing for a huge cash prize, which becomes bigger as each person is eliminated.

However, the game has deadly consequences whereby contestants are killed if they fail a round.

The final game in the competition, squid game, is based on a Korean school game that uses physical aggression.

Attackers must try to reach an area of a squid-like diagram while the other team try to keep their opponents outside the lines.

Another game in the show is similar to the UK’s ‘what’s the time mister wolf’ game.

On the show, “green light” is called out and the contestants must run towards the finishing line, then freeze if “red light” is shouted.

Any contestants who fail are brutally murdered.

While the show has been streamed across the world, some feel that the violent and gruesome scenes are not suitable for youngsters.

Conyers School in Stockton-on-Tees alerted parents on Facebook of the graphic natures of the show and encouraged them to check parental settings on their children’s Netflix devices.

The schools statement read: “Squid Game – Online Safety Alert & Guidance for Parents.

“The series is certified 15 and depicts sex scenes, nudity, extreme violence, self-harm, suicide, bad language.

“The advice external bodies would give would not be any different to advice we would give about any other TV or film not suitable for children.

“If they are not of the age to meet the certification, then they shouldn’t really be watching that series/film.”

The school attached the Netflix NOS parental guide to offer advice on how to check parental settings on their Netflix devices.

Other Teesside schools – including primaries – are also understood to have messaged parents regarding age concerns over the content in the series.

John Jolly, CEO of Parentkind, a charity network of PTA fundraisers in the UK, said: “Where there are safeguarding concerns, especially when children younger than the 15 rating are watching the show at home, parents need to exercise judgement as to whether or not it’s suitable for their child.

“They should use parental supervision to decide, just as they should when it comes to any entertainment containing adult themes that their child wishes to see.

“Where there are specific worries, we encourage schools to work in partnership with parents as they have done in Kent.

“This will increase parental awareness of the issues and ensure that parents can reinforce the school’s values in the home.”

The director of Squid Game has said he did not expect the “fever” around the show.