I admit my husband and I were curious when we heard about Squid Games (even my oldest daughter suggested we watch it). The first episode introduces you to some interesting characters, but very soon, the plot devolves into a sadist game of mass murder, manipulation and just plain evil pitting sad, broken, and desperate humans against each other. I just don’t find that entertaining. I selected to share this article from KSAT.com in San Antonio because it pretty well gives you everything you need to know about this series.
Health officials warn that kids shouldn’t watch Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’
The show is still holding a grip on its audience off-screen
As the Netflix series “Squid Game” continues to be a megahit for audiences across the nation, some health professionals are warning that the show is “clearly not appropriate for children.”
But, that isn’t stopping many kids from watching it, which is becoming a cause for concern due to the extremely violent content.
If you haven’t seen the TV show, the series delves into the stories of hundreds of people who are enduring extreme financial woes. That is until they’re invited to a secret location to compete in six childhood games for the chance to win a billion dollars. However, if they lose any of the games, they’ll pay the ultimate price — death.
“The level of violence is horrifying — more than most shows,” said Dr. David Anderson, head of school and community programs at CMI, in a statement. “It’s a murder fest…”
According to doctors at the Child Mind Institute, they believe no one should watch the show until late adolescence, as it’s just too violent.
“The level of violence is horrifying — more than most shows,” said Dr. David Anderson, head of school and community programs at CMI, in a statement. “It’s a murder fest with the premise that out of over 400 participants, there can only be one survivor.”
And in addition to the violence, Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that reviews TV shows and movies, said: “Squid Game” pushes even more boundaries.
“Parents need to know that the level of violence is very intense in Squid Game. Characters are systematically tortured and killed for the sadistic pleasure of a game master. Adults have sex, and there are threats of sexual violence: Women are grabbed by the hair and beaten. Themes concerning the highs one gets from gambling, winning, or conning money are a main focus,” CSM said on its website.
However, “The Hunger Games” movies, based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, are meant for a younger audience and had “positive role models” and “positive messages,” including the teen heroine Katniss Everdeen, unlike “Squid Game,” according to CMI.
If teens do opt to watch “Squid Game,” CMI encourages parents to watch alongside them so they can understand and reflect on the content.
Dr. Anderson added that even if parents don’t watch the show, they should try talking to the kids about it, and focus on how it makes them feel.
“The purpose would be to identify kids who are having recurring, unwanted thoughts about things they saw in the show or images that have stayed with them. Those kinds of things can become triggers for anxiety and are a good sign that kids should stop watching because the show isn’t healthy for them,” the institute said in a statement.
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