Board Issues Advisory Against “Squid Game,” Asks Parents to Protect Children

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has strongly cautioned parents to help prevent children from watching the popular Netflix series; Squid Game due to content unsuitability.

The board said in a statement that the release of Squid Game to the Kenya market has elicited concern from parents and caregivers over children emulating some of the scenes in real life settings, either at home or at school.

“Squid Game is rated 18 and is intended for mature audiences. Despite the childhood game references, it is not meant for viewing by children,” read the statement in part.

Netflix has self-rated the series 18+ with notes for suicide, violence, and sex to advise viewers that are over 18 that the content could be disturbing.

KFCB says that some of the gory scenes from the series have found their way to other popular platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

The Board’s concern is that although the content is protected on Netflix on account of its  unsuitability to children and other vulnerable groups, some of its clips being availed on other ready-to-access platforms rids the content from parental control safeguards. As a result, the risk of children imitating what is shown by the series, or re-enacting the game is real.

While seemingly innocent, this may lead to the escalation of violence and other vices depicted in the series causing grave harm to the children, including death,” said the KFCB.

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In 2021, a Kenyan youth confessed to murdering his parents and siblings with a negative inspiration from the movie Killing Eve. In 2017, another popular challenge game; Blue Whale led to many suicides among teenagers across the globe including Kenya.

This shows just how much the information kids consume from the media could affect the rest of their lives by influencing their behavior and and how they think.

Parents, caregivers, and guardians are, therefore, advised to be more vigilant and monitor the content their young ones are consuming on media platforms, and guide them properly. This is especially important now that the festive season is here with us and children are likely to have unlimited access to viewing

“If parents give their children access to to smartphones and online streaming platforms such as Netflix, they must take deliberate steps to monitor what they, especially the minors, are consuming,” the Board stated.

Going further, KFCB, with Netflix, will roll out a joint sensitization program to educate parents, caregivers, teachers, and guardians on the available safeguards on the streaming platform. The board seeks to ensure that all the content on different streaming platforms as well conform to its classification for age suitability.

It will also collaborate with content exhibitors to ensure that what is shown on various platforms conforms to our moral values and national aspirations as well as protecting children.