Squid Game Halloween costumes banned by New York schools after students ‘mimic’ violence
- Ban at some elementary schools comes after staff noticed students ‘mimicking’ the show’s violent games
- Squid Game, which debuted on September 17, became Netflix’s most-watched original series
Netflix’s hit show Squid Game may centre on popular children’s games, but US school officials say the notorious pink and green jumpsuits have no place on the playground.
At least three elementary schools in New York have banned Squid Game costumes ahead of Halloween over the “violent messages aligned with the costume,” Fayetteville-Manlius School District Superintendent Dr Craig Tice said.
“It would be inappropriate for any student to wear to school a Halloween costume from this show because of the potential violent messages aligned with the costume,” Tice said in an emailed statement, adding that the show is “intended for mature audiences”.
In Squid Game, a group of desperate, impoverished people risk their lives and compete in deadly children’s games for the chance to win a huge cash prize. It is filled with blood-soaked murders, psychological cruelties and ruthless death games. But despite its gore, it has become Netflix’s biggest show of all time, the streaming service claims.
According to Netflix, the show is for “mature audiences” and “may not be suitable for ages 17 and under” due to “language, violence, sex, nudity, suicide, smoking”.