As the Squid Game craze continues, parents want to know if it's appropriate for their children after the English Council warned them not to let their kids watch it. So what is the age rating exactly?
Squid Game is a K-drama TV series on Netflix which is the brainchild of South Korean film director Hwang Dong-hyuk.
The thrilling series sees some 456 cash-strapped individuals on the brink of financial ruin accept a strange invitation to compete in a tournament to win a huge cash bailout.
What they don't realise until they get there is that they'll be playing with their lives, as each contestant competes in popular playground games which have a deadly twist.
Season one was released on 17th September 2021 and it became the number one most-watched show on Netflix of all time.
It's become so popular, Squid Game inspired Halloween costumes are all the rage this year and there are now various Squid Game cafe's and experiences popping up (of course, you don't actually die like the characters).
What age rating is Squid Game?
The series is rated 15 in the UK, or MA, meaning 'mature audiences' in the US. Therefore, it isn't appropriate for younger viewers.
Related: Squid Game Creator Explains What He Wants To Do For Season 2
As mentioned, the contestants in this series have to compete in games which can end up getting them killed. For example, players caught running on a red light during Red Light, Green Light aren't just out of the game, they're shot dead. Meanwhile, a game of cutting shapes out of honeycomb can also cost the players their lives if they break the honeycomb. So no, it's definitely not suitable for kids.
Not only is the TV series too violent to watch for young viewers, several schools have had to write letters to parents explaining that sanctions will be imposed on pupils who try to act out scenes and games from Squid Game.
One dad from Ilford, east London, tweeted: "Can't believe my kids' school has had to send a letter telling parents that kids are playing their own version of Squid Game and that parents will have sanctions applied if their kids mimic Squid Game. The popularity of this show is next level."
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John Bramston Primary School also told parents that issues were arising between students, which were caused by children re-enacting the games.
Featured Image Credit: NetflixTopics: TV and Film, Netflix, Squid Game