Squid Game is a South Korean survival thriller on Netflix that became a global phenomenon in 2021. The premise: 456 desperate, debt-ridden people compete in a series of children's games (Red Light Green Light, tug-of-war, marbles) for a massive cash prize. The twist? Losing means instant death.

It's a brilliantly crafted commentary on capitalism, inequality, and desperation. It's also extremely violent in ways that go beyond typical action movie violence. We're talking close-up executions, psychological manipulation, and scenes designed to be deeply unsettling.

Season 2 dropped in December 2024, and Season 3 is coming in 2026. The cultural phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down.

The show became unavoidable in 2021-2022. Kids weren't just watching it—they were playing Squid Game on playgrounds, dressing up as the red guards for Halloween, and making TikToks about it. Even elementary schoolers who'd never seen the show knew about it.

Here's why it spread like wildfire among kids:

The games themselves are familiar. Red Light Green Light, marbles, tug-of-war—these are games kids actually play. The irony of turning innocent childhood activities into deadly competitions is lost on younger viewers, who just see cool versions of games they know.

The aesthetic is striking. Those pink guards, the green tracksuits, the minimalist sets—it's visually iconic and instantly recognizable. It's meme-able, costume-able, and TikTok-able.

Peer pressure is real. When "everyone" at school is talking about something, kids feel left out if they haven't seen it. The FOMO is intense, especially for middle schoolers navigating social hierarchies.

It's forbidden fruit. The TV-MA rating makes it feel grown-up and edgy. Watching it becomes a status symbol, proof that you're mature enough to handle "adult" content.

Netflix Rating: TV-MA (Mature Audiences only—equivalent to R-rated for movies)

Common Sense Media: Age 16+ (and even that feels generous)

IMDB Parents Guide: Lists the show as having "Severe" violence, "Moderate" profanity, and "Moderate" frightening/intense scenes.

The TV-MA rating means Netflix considers this content appropriate only for adults. It's the streaming equivalent of an R-rating, but honestly, Squid Game pushes harder than most R-rated films.

Let's be specific about what we're talking about, because "violence" can mean a lot of things:

Graphic death scenes. People are shot at close range, and the camera doesn't look away. Blood splatters. Bodies pile up. The show wants you to feel the horror of what's happening.

Psychological torture. Beyond the physical violence, contestants are manipulated, betrayed, and forced into impossible moral choices. Watching people turn on each other for survival is deeply disturbing.

Child-like imagery twisted dark. The games, the colorful sets, the playful music—all of it creates cognitive dissonance that makes the violence even more unsettling. It's designed to be disturbing on a psychological level.

Desperation and exploitation. The show explores poverty, debt, and desperation in ways that can be genuinely depressing. It's not just scary—it's bleak.

Sexual content and assault. Season 1 includes sexual violence and assault scenes that are extremely disturbing.

This isn't The Hunger Games. That comparison gets thrown around a lot, but Hunger Games (even the books) pulls back from the most graphic moments. Squid Game leans in.

Under 13: Absolutely not. Full stop. The content is too graphic, too psychologically intense, and offers nothing developmentally appropriate for this age group.

Ages 13-15: Still no, but this is where it gets complicated because this is the age when kids are most likely to be watching it behind your back. If you discover your middle schooler has seen it, don't freak out—but do have a conversation about what they watched and how it made them feel. Learn how to process violent media with teens.

Ages 16-17: This is the youngest age where it might be appropriate, and even then, it depends on the individual kid. Some 16-year-olds can handle mature content and engage with the social commentary. Others will be genuinely disturbed by it. You know your kid best.

The co-viewing factor: If you do decide to let an older teen watch, consider watching it together (or at least the first episode) so you can discuss the themes and check in about how they're processing it.

Your kid has probably already seen clips on TikTok. Even if they haven't watched the full show, they've likely seen snippets, memes, and references. The cultural saturation is real.

Playground games became concerning. In 2021-2022, schools worldwide reported kids playing Squid Game-inspired games where "losers" faced real consequences (hitting, exclusion, etc.). Talk to your kids about why mimicking the show's violence—even in play—isn't okay.

The Halloween costume dilemma. Those red guard costumes were everywhere in 2021-2022. If your kid wants to dress up as a character from a show they're too young to watch, that's a conversation worth having about why the costume exists in the first place.

Season 2 is just as intense. If you were hoping the follow-up would tone things down, it doesn't. The violence and psychological intensity continue.

It's actually good television. This makes it harder to dismiss. Squid Game isn't gratuitous violence for violence's sake—it's a well-crafted show with real things to say about society. That doesn't make it appropriate for kids, but it does mean you can't just write it off as trash TV.

If your kid is drawn to the survival competition aspect or the social commentary, here are some actually age-appropriate options:

For the competition element:

For dystopian themes:

For smart social commentary:

Check out our full guide to shows like Squid Game but age-appropriate for more options.

If your kid has already watched Squid Game (or really wants to), here's how to approach the conversation:

Don't lead with anger. If they watched it without permission, getting mad will just shut down communication. Start with curiosity: "I heard you've been watching Squid Game. What did you think of it?"

Ask what they found appealing. Understanding why they wanted to watch helps you address the actual need. Are they interested in the competition? The social commentary? Just trying to fit in with friends?

Discuss the violence explicitly. Don't assume they processed it the same way you would. Ask: "How did you feel watching people get killed? Did any scenes stick with you in a bad way?"

Talk about the themes. This is actually a great opportunity to discuss inequality, desperation, and what people might do in extreme circumstances. The show raises real questions worth exploring with older teens.

Set boundaries for younger siblings. If you have multiple kids, be clear about why different ages have different rules. "Your brother is 16 and we've decided he can watch this, but it's not appropriate for you yet because..." is a reasonable stance.

Address the playground behavior. Make it clear that playing violent games inspired by the show isn't acceptable, even if the show itself is "just entertainment."

Squid Game earned its TV-MA rating for a reason. It's genuinely intense, psychologically disturbing content that's not appropriate for kids or young teens, no matter how mature they seem.

That said, if your 15-year-old has already watched it at a friend's house, you're not a bad parent and they're not permanently damaged. Use it as an opportunity to talk about media literacy, violence, and how we process disturbing content.

For younger kids who are feeling left out because "everyone" is watching it, help them understand that ratings exist for a reason, and that there are plenty of age-appropriate shows that explore similar themes without the graphic content.

If your kid is asking to watch it: Consider their age, maturity level, and whether you're willing to co-view and discuss. For most families, the answer for anyone under 16 should be "not yet."

If they've already seen it: Have a conversation about what they watched and how they're processing it. Here's how to debrief after exposure to violent media.

If you're looking for alternatives: Check out age-appropriate survival competition shows or dystopian books and movies for teens.

If you want to understand the appeal: Watch the first episode yourself. You'll immediately understand both why it's so compelling and why it's absolutely not for kids.

The cultural phenomenon of Squid Game isn't going away, especially with Season 3 on the horizon. The best thing you can do is stay informed, keep communication open, and make intentional decisions about what's right for your family.