"Squid Games" at the schoolyard: pupils distribute slaps in the face at Bavaria's schools - ministry in great concern

Games from the hyped Netflix series "Squid Game" are reproduced in Bavarian schools.

Instead of death, the losers face slaps and abuse.

Update from October 28th:

The Netflix series "Squid Game" is currently particularly popular with young people. In the series, around 500 people compete against each other in seemingly harmless children's games. The loser has to die. Conflicts have now broken out at schools in Augsburg. Observe that children re-enact the games from the series. "In the process, students are slapped or insulted," said Michaela Zipper, media pedagogical consultant at the Augsburg School Authority, opposite the

(see first report).

A spokesman for the Ministry of Culture has now also commented on the incidents.

"The Bavarian State Ministry for Education and Culture is watching with concern the popularity that the series has among children and young people and categorically rejects the values ​​it conveys," the spokesman told

There are currently no concrete insights into how much the "Squid Game" is re-enacted in schools in the Free State.

“In the interests of preventing violence, we always follow the principle of 'zero tolerance' at Bavarian schools.

This principle has led to a high level of sensitivity in schools with regard to violent crimes.

The school principals always report incidents to the police, "the spokesman told the radio station on.

"Squid Game" hype in Bavarian schools: children throw slaps in the face in schoolyards

First report from October 27th:

Augsburg - The Netflix series "Squid Game" is currently very popular.

The streaming service even spoke on Twitter of the “most successful series launch in Netflix history.” “Squid Game” triggers a downright hype, especially among children and young people.

In the series, almost 500 people compete against each other in seemingly harmless children's games.

The loser has to die.

Several imitations of the series can be seen on Instagram and TikTok.

That makes children act out the series as well.

In Augsburg * schools, therefore, there were disputes in the schoolyard, as the

reports.

(By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you about all the important stories from the Free State. Register here.)

“Squid game” hype in Bavarian schools: slaps and insults replace death

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The “Squid Game” series is experiencing a real hype, especially among children and young people.

(Symbol image)

© Rolf Vennenbernd / dpa

Although the series is only released from the age of 16, it is already seen by elementary school children, reports Michaela Zipper, media education consultant for the Augsburg Education Authority, the

. “Children cannot estimate the emotional consequences that this will cause,” says the teacher. Observe that children re-enact the games from the series. "Students are slapped or insulted," says Zipper. In the series, if someone gets wrong or loses something during a game, they will be shot. In the school playgrounds, slaps and insults replace death.

According to Zipper, many teachers have now contacted the school authorities.

She therefore offers special consultation hours for the educators.

Parents can be advised to set up a child account on Netflix and to provide the adult account with a pin.

“And we want to convey how you can talk to children about the series.

Because prohibiting doesn't do anything.

That only excites the children even more, ”explains Zipper to the

Parents' letters would not have helped because some would not understand it.

"Squid Game" hype: Professional invitation cards at schools alert the Augsburg police

"There are already so-called invitation cards circulating among schoolchildren for games like this, as they appear in the series," continues Zipper. Because of professional invitation cards that were found at at least three elementary and secondary schools, the Augsburg police * are now also investigating. QR codes were on the cards that linked to a website on which a countdown is running, explains the Swabian North Police Headquarters at the request of the

. Students were worried that something could happen at their school.

The police have now been able to identify those responsible.

The young men had "thought nothing of it", they just wanted to start an advertising campaign with the cards.

"But we made it clear to the young men that this was not possible," the Presidium told the

.

“If people are frightened, we have to take action.” The men are now awaiting administrative offense proceedings.

List of rubric lists: © Rolf Vennenbernd / dpa