Warning for pupils over violent nature of Squid Game

A LOCAL school has warned parents and children about the “inappropriately violent nature” of new TV programme, Squid Game after national reports were made of pupils behaving aggressively.

A South Korean Netflix thriller, Squid Game tells the story of debt-ridden and desperate people who compete for a cash prize in a series of deadly children’s games.

Whilst the programme has gained a world-wide audience, its popularity prompted a county council in England to issue a caution to parents. Central Bedfordshire Council emailed parents about ‘aggressive’ primary pupils after stories surfaced about children playing Squid Game at school.

Consequently, the Education Authority in Northern Ireland alerted local schools to the dangers via the Child Protection Service.

“We have been alerted by the Child Protection Service about Squid Game and we have issued a concern to our parents via our Parent App,” principal at Holy Cross College in Strabane, Clare Bradley explained.

“It is of grave concern that our young people may be watching something of an inappropriately violent nature and we would ask parents to be vigilant regarding it being viewed.”

Part of the growing concern about the ultra-violent programme is that younger children had seen clips of the show, which has a rating of 15 due to its graphic nature, on social media platforms like Youtube and TikTok. As well as this, because of the burgeoning popularity of the games in the show, developers have made various mini-games based on Squid Game on Roblox and other gaming apps.

Principal Bradley continued, “We also appeal to our students not to become involved with Squid Game and to be strong enough to say ‘no’ if persuaded by others.”