Let's cut to the chase: Squid Game has a TV-MA rating in the US and an 18+ rating in most other countries. That's the equivalent of an R-rated movie, but actually more restrictive—TV-MA means it's specifically designed for mature audiences only.

Netflix itself labels it as appropriate for ages 16+ in some regions, but honestly? That's generous. The content includes:

This isn't "scary movie" violence. It's visceral, intentional, and designed to make you deeply uncomfortable.

Here's the frustrating part: the show's premise is literally based on children's games. Red Light Green Light. Tug of war. Marbles. The contestants wear colorful numbered tracksuits. The aesthetics are almost playful, with giant animatronic dolls and candy-colored sets.

It's this juxtaposition—innocent childhood games turned deadly—that makes the show so compelling to adults. But for kids? They see the games, the bright colors, the viral TikToks of people recreating the challenges, and they want in.

Plus, everyone is talking about it. When a show becomes this culturally massive, kids feel left out if they haven't seen it. FOMO is real, even (especially?) in elementary school.

The violence is not cartoonish. If your kid has watched Marvel movies or played Fortnite, they might argue they've "seen violence before." But Squid Game is different. The violence is realistic, brutal, and meant to evoke horror and moral questioning. It's not about heroes defeating villains—it's about desperate people killing each other for money.

The themes are deeply adult. Beyond the violence, the show explores debt, class inequality, human exploitation, and moral compromise. These aren't bad topics for older teens to think about, but they require emotional maturity and context that most middle schoolers (and even many high schoolers) simply don't have yet.

Your kid is probably hearing about it at school anyway. Even if you don't let them watch it, they're getting secondhand exposure. Kids are recreating the games at recess (usually without the death part, thankfully), sharing clips on social media, and discussing plot points. This is worth acknowledging rather than ignoring.

Under 13: Hard no. Full stop. The content is simply not appropriate, regardless of how "mature" your tween is. If they're feeling left out, acknowledge that feeling—it's valid—but hold the boundary.

Ages 13-15: Still probably not ready. Some exceptionally mature 15-year-olds might be able to handle it, but ask yourself: can your teen process graphic violence and dark psychological themes without it affecting their mental health or worldview? When in doubt, wait.

Ages 16-17: This is where it gets more individual. Some older teens can engage with dark content critically and process it appropriately. If you're considering it, watch it yourself first (seriously), and plan to watch it together and discuss it. This isn't a "drop them off at the movies" situation.

Ages 18+: They're adults. They can make their own choices. Though if they're living in your house, you can still set boundaries about where and when mature content is watched.

If your kid is begging to watch Squid Game, here's how to approach it:

Acknowledge their interest: "I know everyone's talking about it and you feel left out. That's a real feeling."

Explain your reasoning: "The show has really graphic violence—not like superhero movies, but realistic violence that's meant to be disturbing. I don't think you're ready for that yet, and that's not a judgment on your maturity."

Offer alternatives: There are shows with competition elements that are actually age-appropriate. The Floor is Lava for younger kids, Survivor for tweens, or even Alice in Borderland for older teens (though note: this is also TV-MA, just slightly less graphic).

Address the FOMO: "I get that it's hard when everyone else has seen something. But part of my job is to protect you from content that could be genuinely upsetting or harmful, even if that feels unfair right now."

Here's some good news: kids playing "Red Light, Green Light" at recess because of Squid Game? That's actually fine. They're not reenacting the violence—they're just playing a classic game that got a popularity boost. Unless your school is reporting concerning behavior (kids pretending to shoot each other, disturbing language), the playground games themselves aren't the issue.

Squid Game is a brilliantly made show that is absolutely not for children. The TV-MA rating exists for a reason, and this show earns it in every episode.

If your kid is feeling left out, that's worth acknowledging and working through together. But the solution isn't to cave and let them watch content that could genuinely disturb them. There are plenty of age-appropriate ways to feel included in pop culture—this just isn't one of them.

And if you discover your kid has already watched it (at a friend's house, on their phone, whatever)? Don't panic. Have a conversation. Ask what they thought, what confused or scared them, and provide context. Then reinforce your boundaries going forward.

Trust your gut. If something feels too mature for your kid, it probably is—even if "everyone else" is watching it.