Three elementary schools in New York are the latest to ban Squid Game Halloween costumes after noticing some of their young students imitating the show's violence.
"We have observed that some students at recess have been playing a version of the squid game which is intended for mature audiences, ages 16 and older," an email from a principal of one of the schools said. "Due to concerns about the potential violent nature of the game, it is inappropriate for recess play or discussion at school. Additionally, a Halloween costume from this show does not meet our school costume guidelines due to the potential violent message aligned with the costume."
For those who haven't seen Squid Game, the South Korean series on Netflix is a captivating, dramatic thriller in which down-on-their-luck contestants compete for a huge sum of money by playing deadly versions of simple childhood games like Red Light Green Light, Tug of War, and marbles.
On October 13, a Facebook post from Bay School Districts in Florida also sent out a message against Squid Game-related activities, which included:
"While parents may think their younger students are not being exposed to this show, it's become clear to us this week that several gaming applications and video sharing platforms are making some of the content accessible to children without the knowledge of their parents. As a result, some children are trying to replicate show scenes at school but what sounds harmless (who didn't play Red Light/Green Light as a kid?) is not actually harmless because the game in the television show includes "elimination" (death) and we are seeing kids trying to actually hurt each other in the name of this 'game.'"
From The Washington Post:
The New York schools aren't the first to report students imitating the hit show. Officials at Bay District Schools in Florida have also warned parents about elementary-aged students mimicking "Squid Game."
Even if parents aren't letting their kids watch "Squid Game," they might still be seeing clips on gaming and video-sharing sites, the Florida district officials said, adding: "we are seeing kids trying to actually hurt each other in the name of this 'game.' "
"Squid Game" Halloween costumes are among the most popular on Instagram this year. In addition to the track suits contestants wear in the games, people are searching for white numbered T-shirts like those assigned to players and the red jumpsuits and black masks guards don in the show.
