Searching for shows like Squid Game? The amazing storyline of Squid Game has captured the hearts of teens all around the world. But as a parent, maybe you feel uncomfortable with your child’s watching habits because there is extreme violence in the show. We can understand that, as a parent, it’s normal to be worried about your kid.
So, if you are thinking that there are any similar shows, are they better or not? Then stay connected. This guide focuses on protecting your teens from violent content by helping you understand Squid Game, contrasting its two seasons, and also providing you with a list of similar shows like Squid Game.
Which is more famous, Squid Game 1 or Squid Game 2?
To be straightforward, Netflix was literally breaking its own records with “Squid Game” Season 1 since its release. Yes, it became the centre of attention worldwide instantaneously. The reason for its popularity was its unique concept that blended many childhood games with life-threatening consequences.
Basically, it involved a mix of violent TV and emotional depth. In simple terms, a show of this magnitude was bound to become a hot topic on social media.
Season 2 also drew attention, especially from viewers who wanted to see the conflict escalate. From this angle, buzz wasn’t created like with Season 1. Many fans were excited for it, but the element of surprise was absent.
Still, the season did fetch millions of views, but as expected, the excitement couldn’t reach the level of Season 1. So, for the two, in terms of popularity, Season 1 takes the crown. It showcased the world something out of the box and started a viral discussion.
For any parent asking this question, Which season is better to watch with a child?, the answer is no. Neither is suitable. The seasons are equally gripping and better only for adult consumers.
Is Squid Game family-friendly?
Unfortunately, Squid Game is definitely not family-friendly in any context. While childhood games may seem captivating to children, this particular story is dark. It has heavy, murderous violence, which is why it has a TV-MA rating (meant for 18-plus adults).
Moreover, adults themselves may find it hard to digest the blood, strong language, disturbing scenes, and larger-than-life amounts of gore. Well, the core principle revolves around people who have to play deadly games in order to achieve a hefty monetary gift, which serves as a prize. Most of the games result in life-threatening injuries, if not death.
Not many people, even adults, might find it horrible. There is also self-destructive poverty, overwhelming debt, and desperation, which could be very unhealthy for the younger audience. One thing more, that due to its immense popularity, many children will undoubtedly want to watch it.
So, if you are a parent, regardless of the age difference, it is necessary to observe the type of shows your children are consuming. This show will leave kids feeling lost, scared, or with a perpetual state of confusion. There are surely better options parents can choose from that are much more suited for younger audiences.
Use parental controls to manage your kids screen time
10 shows like Squid Game
A show like Squid Game might capture the interest of your teenager, but it requires supervising eyes to ensure that it won’t entail any unwelcome content. Most shows that carry the same energy usually come packed with violent, horrific, or dark themes.
Listed below are ten shows that are usually said to be like Squid Game, along with the age ratings and a brief description for better understanding.
Alice In Borderland
- Age Rating: TV-MA (Mature Audience Only)/ 17+ for Violence and Gore
This Japanese thriller features the story of a select group of people who become stranded in the seemingly abandoned version of Tokyo. They have to participate in life-threatening games to escape. Every game revolves around cards, and the wager increases with every round.
In addition, the show has a fast pace and major amounts of physically gruelling action. Because of the bloodshed and intense emotional trauma the characters experience, the show is not suited for younger children or polite society.
All of Us Are Dead
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for horror and violence
This series, set in a South Korean school, revolves around the lives of teenagers in a zombie apocalypse. Students are quarantined within the school and must fight other students to survive. The show contains a lot of emotional moments, but also an equal scenes of blood and death.
Apart from this, it also talks about social issues like bullying and friendships, and tragic love stories. Despite being about teenagers, the show is too graphic for younger viewers.
Sweet Home
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for horror and violence
In this horror-drama featured on a South Korean OTT platform, groups of people begin their transformation into monsters. It is all based on their hidden fears and deepest desires. An ensemble of apartment dwellers struggles to survive while desperately trying to stay human.
It is worth discussing that it has a lot of violent scenes, traumatising content, and disturbing plots. Unlike some horror series that focus solely on frights, this show digs into complex emotions, but it is unsuitable for younger viewers with frightening visuals.
The 8 Show
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for intense themes
In The 8 Show, contestants compete in a game where they must spend time living in a building to win money. The longer they stay inside, the more they earn. However, there is a tremendous price to pay.
To be honest, this show is more of a mental thriller than a gory action series, but the tension is present throughout. Exploration of topics such as manipulation and greed adds social pressure, which, despite there being little violence, makes it unsuitable for children.
3%
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for dystopian violence
This Brazilian sci-fi drama takes place in a future where only 3% of the population gets to live in a utopia while the rest have to live in poverty. Young adults must undergo dangerous tests to determine if they are ‘worthy”., It consists of both physical and mental challenges, often with harrowing consequences.
While the story poses important themes about equity and social constructs, the violence, coupled with the tension, makes it inappropriate for children.
Hellbound
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for violence
Hellbound is yet another dark Korean series where people are given a timestamp for their death. And afterwards, shadowy beasts appear to kill them at said time. It examines concepts such as religion, anxiety, and how everyone responds to bizarre happenings.
In addition, it includes shocking scenes, public executions, and emotional distress. It’s not just visually frightening; it’s dense in every aspect and is suitable only for those who are capable of handling dark themes.
Death’s Game
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for horror and violence
In this show, a man finds himself devoid of any ambition and has the chance to relive several lives until the final judgment. Each new existence ends in death. The plot is complex, sobering, and at times incredibly revealing. Viewers experience different forms of death, which could be traumatising.
Additionally, it blends fantasy and horror with many serious messages, but the graphic nature alongside the emotional burden render the material unsuitable for younger audiences.
Kaiji: The Ultimate Survivor
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for psychological intensity
This is a Japanese animated series where Kaiji is a man who enters a fight-to-the-death gambling competition to clear his debts. The games are clever and risky with an edge of suspense. Even though it’s animated, the themes are very mature.
Apart from this, it deals with fury, betrayal, and survival with an overarching distress. It is less bloody than some of the live-action shows people watch. But the mental stress and pressure make it more suitable for adults.
Panic
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for mature themes
Panic is about a group of teens in a small town who participate in a secret game every summer. The winner gets a large cash prize, but the challenges are life-threatening and at times illegal. The show primarily targets younger audiences, incorporating elements of drama, fear, rebellion, and risk.
Although it stars high school students, the subjects covered include alcohol, violence, aggression, and reckless conduct. Parents should understand that the show promotes risky concepts because, unlike most people, this is not safe for young teens.
Physical: 100
- Age Rating: TV-MA / 17+ for physical hardships.
Unlike the shows we have covered to this point, Physical: 100 is an unscripted reality competition show. It showcases a hundred athletes and pits them against one another in a series of debilitating physical tasks to determine who comes out on top.
There are no horror elements or death, but the competitive atmosphere is brutal. Competitors may face rough contact, injury, or emotional breakdown. Well, this show is likely safer than some on the list, but it is still aimed at older teens due to its mature themes.
The shows listed above have one common thing: survival, fear, and high-strain scenarios. Some are more graphic, and others take a more psychological approach. Even with the existence of a few teenage contestants or games, none of these shows are suitable for younger children or even younger teens.
The age rating of TV-MA (17+) is already an indication and highlights a key issue: the inclusion of bodily harm, strong language, and other inappropriate content. Teenagers who are not yet seventeen will not be able to view the shows. As a parent, you can say “no” and provide your reasoning.
Some of these shows are quite horrifying to watch, even for adults. So care is needed!
Should teens watch shows like Squid Game?
Popularity has gotten most teenagers to fall for shows like Squid Game for all the wrong reasons. The stories are based around games, paired with colourful visuals and jaw-dropping, suspense-filled scenes. They are attention-catching, indeed. In reality, the shows are made for people who are not in their teenage years.
Shows like Squid Game and the likes fall under the TV-MA label, placing the age of 17 and above as the range of viewers. As we discussed, there is brutal violence, bleeding, horrifying deaths, and deeply emotional content intertwined. The themes are dark, and in many cases, revolve around financial hardship, deep-seated fears, and mental stress.
Engaging with such intense material can have an emotional impact on teens. It can cause fear, confusion, and anxiety, particularly for younger audiences. Even when teens feel prepared, their emotional and cognitive abilities are still maturing. It is necessary to shield them from potential harmful influences.
If you suspect that your teen is interested, you can give them other safer options that do not include detrimental elements. To be honest, open dialogues and wise counsel do make a big difference.
How to protect your teens from inappropriate exposures?
Given the ever-increasing number of available movies and shows, teens are likely to come across unsuitable content. Parents can take simple measures that can help in monitoring their child’s screen time and protecting them from harmful exposure.
Use built-in parental controls that streaming sites offer
Every major streaming service includes parental control features. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and even YouTube come equipped with these controls. You can set restrictions based on age ratings, block specific shows, and even track watch history.
Moreover, it is also possible to set up a profile for your teen with restricted content. Be sure to check these controls; they are user-friendly and can be changed as your child ages.
Use FlashGet Kids to enhance protection
If you need even more control, consider using FlashGet Kids. This application allows for increased restrictions by helping you manage screen time, review app usage, and block specific websites or videos. It functions on multiple devices and provides you with ongoing updates regarding your teen’s usage.
FlashGet Kids opens up discussions on healthy habits while enabling parents to intervene at the right time. Apart from this, you should also have direct conversations. You can discuss with your teen about the content they view and their feelings about it. Make sure that they understand you are trying to help, not punish, but protect them.
So, combining effective tools with good discussions about content helps protect and inform your teenager.
