After repeated instances of youngsters acting violently when recreating scenes from the popular drama, a local council in England published a letter to parents asking them not to allow their children to watch "Squid Game."
With more than 111 million views in less than a month, "Squid Game" is Netflix's most-watched series of all time. The show depicts a group of people who compete in a series of violent children's games in order to pay off their debts.
Because of the show's high level of violence and the games' simplicity, the show has become a social media sensation, spawning memes, Tiktok trends, and groups of people seeking to reproduce the game in real life.
Players in one game, "red light, green light," aim to sneak up on a doll before it turns around to face them. If a player moves while the doll is pointed at them, they will be shot.
In the United Kingdom, schools and councils are issuing warnings to parents about children imitating this game by employing physical violence, with the losers being physically harmed.
After BBC News reported that children in Lincoln were discussing the show and "re-enacting some sequences," Central Bedfordshire council's school safety team wrote an email to parents and guardians in the district advising them to "be cautious."
The Guardian reported that an email from Central Bedfordshire Council stated, "There have been some troubling reports recently of children and young adults 'playing' Squid Game whilst at school."
"We strongly advise against youngsters watching Squid Game. The show is highly explicit and contains a lot of violence," the local government authority went on to say.
Last week, authorities in Britain had to clarify and reassure drivers that a highway sign emblazoned with the logo of the show did not lead to a real-life "Squid Game."
The Mirror reported earlier this month that parents from London and Kent schools were receiving letters concerning the popular South Korean drama.
The show is rated 15 in the United Kingdom because it contains "sexual violence references, crude comedy, suicide, sex, explicit images, and violence," making it only suitable for individuals aged 15 and up.
