The child wants to watch the squid game because "all the friends are already watching"?
The girl participates in network challenges based on series or games?
National Headquarters for the Protection of Children Online - 105, Calling on Parents: Exposure of children to age-inappropriate content can adversely affect their behavior, create a distorted worldview and arouse fears and anxieties.
Be sure to set age limits for viewing.
Recently, there have been many instances where the National Headquarters for Child Protection online has been exposed to the fact that more and more young people and adolescents are being exposed to difficult content and participating in virtual spaces that are not appropriate for their age.
Examples include social networks such as Tiktok, where children are active from the age of eight (although the minimum age to open an account is 13), as well as the TV series such as "The Squid Game", which are watched by children aged 10 (although the minimum age is 16).
The series uses children's games, but watching them is not for them // Photo: YOUNGKYU PARK, Netflix,
Popular content such as "The Squid Game" is often followed by network imitations and "challenges" based on prominent elements from the series, and are often very dangerous and violent elements that can lead to vulnerability and real danger to the lives of children and children participating in challenges.
Such programs, which often also include expressions of sexual violence, normalize violent behavior and root out distorted perceptions of sexuality.
National Headquarters 105 reiterates that age restrictions have been set not for nothing, and it is important to obey them and adhere to them.
Even if the girl or boy insists and asks "because the whole class already sees it" or because "everyone is already there", explain to them, depending on their age, why it is not a good idea and what the severe effects can be of using apps and viewing age-appropriate content.
"Can cause distortion in children's worldview" // Photo: Netflix,
At any age, the presence of your parents is of great importance.
Familiarity with the children's network spaces, supervision, guidance, ongoing conversation and more.
1. Give your children tools for critical thinking and decision-making, so that they can come to the conclusion that series like "The Squid Game" can endanger them.
2. Teach them to ask poignant questions and examine content from all directions.
3. Talk to them about the balance between the need for belonging ("doing as others do") and the need for protection and maintaining their personal security.
4. Express a firm opinion that denies violent behavior of any kind, and explain the problematic nature of series that normalize violence and bullying.
"Kids imitate the scenes."
The Squid Game // Photo: Netflix,
The director general of the Ministry of Internal Security, Tomer Lotan, said: "I call on parents to have a fruitful dialogue with the children, especially against the background of exposure to complex content, and to help children be in a controlled environment, appropriate and appropriate for their age.
Headquarters 105 is also available to parents to create awareness about cyberbullying "
The head of Unit 105, Lt. Col. Shlomit Landes, said:
"Unit 105 of the Israel Police is at the forefront of the fight against harm to minors in the network and works together with the civilian headquarters, to maintain the safety of children in the virtual and physical space.
As part of the activity, the unit operates an intelligence system alongside suspicious investigations in all aspects of the crime against minors.
We will continue to strengthen the children's safety on the Internet and bring the perpetrators to justice. "
