Quebec Kids Are Playing 'Squid Game' On School Playgrounds & A School Board Is 'Concerned'

Riverside School Board says students are "imitating violent games."

Quebec Kids Are Playing 'Squid Game' On School Playgrounds & A School Board Is 'Concerned'
Jerome Cid | Dreamstime, Faiz Zaki | Dreamstime
Senior Writer

Riverside School Board, an English school board on Montreal's South Shore, says kids have been spotted "imitating violent games" from Netflix's Squid Game on school grounds.

The extraordinarily popular TV series is about "hundreds of cash-strapped players [who] accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes," as described by Netflix. If you haven't watched it yet (who are you?) it's bloody, gory and full of murder.

In an info notice written to parents on its website, Riverside School Board says the show's "popularity now extends to playgrounds in some schools of the province" where kids have been spotted playing pretend Squid Game.

"This violent storyline promotes a feeling of confusion among young audiences and accentuates the impact of the shocking images or, worst, normalizes or desensitizes acts of violence," it says. "We urge you to take the matter seriously."

Riverside School Board is encouraging parents to discuss the subject with their children in a way they see fit. It also notes that you can block mature shows on Netflix.

Meanwhile, the English Montreal School Board's marketing manager, Michael J. Cohen, told MTL Blog that no one's reported any Squid Game incidents at its schools.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

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  • Ilana Belfer
  • Ilana Belfer

    Editor

    Ilana Belfer (she/her) was an editor for MTL Blog. She's obsessed with great storytelling in all its forms having worked in print, radio, television, theatre, and digital media over the past decade. A graduate of Carleton University’s journalism program, her words have appeared in The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, The Kit, VICE, Salon, Foodism TO & more — covering everything from cam girls to COVID-19. Ilana can usually be found with her dog André, tracking down Montreal’s prettiest ruelles vertes and tastiest treats.

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