TLDR: Dr Justin Coulson talks about Squid Game and if it’s OK to be viewed by our kids.
It’s the recent TV series that everyone has been talking about, Squid Game, but is it alright for our kids to watch?
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families and a parenting expert, joined Elerrina and Jodie to talk about the current popular Korean TV series on Netflix, Squid Game, and whether it is something our kids can watch.
He explains the TV is show is a “souped up version of The Hunger Games” with adults competing in games they played when they were kids and if a person doesn’t win a game they die.
“The bigger concern is our kids are all over it, from the age of about 8,9,10… and they want to watch it and the answer is pretty clear if you have kids… say ‘it’s got an MA rating and not appropriate for kids,” Dr Coulson explains.
The games are even making their way into the school yard and as a parent herself, Jodie asked how she can navigate her kids away from the popular series and what to say if they ask to watch.
“With kids from 9 and above you wanna ask ‘have you heard about Squid Game?’ and ask ‘what do you think about it and how did it make you feel?’… and then you’re going to want to come in a bit closer and ask ‘has anyone shown you any of [the Squid Game]?’,” he says.
Dr Coulson says starting the conversation and finding out how much they know about it first is the best starting point.
Elerrina goes on to ask about social inclusion and if a child’s friends have watched it and they haven’t, what can they do.
Dr Coulson explains kids can experience FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) when they are not a part of whats going on.
“When that happens you give them a hug and say ‘it’s really hard sometimes when your friends are doing something and we say it’s not okay. But it’s going to be okay’, don’t offer to resolve or walk back any decisions,” he explains.
“Most parents know instinctively that this content is not okay for children and will keep their kids away from it,” Dr Coulson says.
Listen Below:
About the Author: Micaela is a Freelance Writer and a Journalism graduate. Find more of her work HERE.
Get daily encouragement delivered straight to your inbox
Writers from our Real Hope community offer valuable wisdom and insights based on their own experiences!
