Fury over giant Squid Game doll that parents blast as inappropriate
Parents have vented their anger over the appearance of a huge “inappropriate” Squid Game doll in a shopping centre.
The three metre doll, which appeared at the Trafford Centre in Manchester over the weekend, was a replica of the one used in the Red Light, Green Light episode of the hit Netflix show.
It had moving eyes that lit up, while Squid Game guards were also on the scene, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a notoriously gruesome scene from the hit South Korean TV series, competitors are gunned down by the giant doll if they are detected moving after the red light comes on.
Parents were quick to take to Facebook express their displeasure over the “inappropriate” move.
Gemma Louise Cooke wrote on the Manchester Family page: “Don’t want kids to watch it but put it in the middle of the Trafford centre on a busy rainy Saturday, good one.”
Helen Sarah added: “Not sure this is appropriate in the middle of a busy shopping centre. My 5 and 6-year-old don't know what Squid Game is, but have asked me because a teacher mentioned at school in assembly that they must not watch it.
“They can both read, so no doubt when we go to the Trafford Centre my 6-year-old will read the signs and know a little about the Squid Game that she didn't know before… as a teacher and a parent this is not a great move, we are trying to protect our kids from this, not promote it in areas that are frequented by families.”
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There was also criticism about the timing of the eerie doll, as it arrived in the same week that Trafford Centre bosses announced the axing of the popular singing Christmas tree.
Lucy Cox added: “They got rid of the talking Christmas tree because it was too scary and replaced it with this??”
Susan Corlett said she was surprised the shopping centre bosses allowed the doll to be displayed, saying: "Horrific programme and really shouldn't be in there," while Karen Welsh simply said: “This feels massively inappropriate.”
But there was some support for the doll.
Lindsay Gibbons said: "It's also acceptable to tell your children it's from a programme for adults and older children and adjust your Netflix settings so your children can't watch it.
"As a parent you set your own boundaries and a crazy doll in a shopping centre isn't really a big challenge to parenting."
And Liam Woinson commented: "People are worried about a bloody robot from a popular TV series but will walk their kids past Anne Summers."
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A spokesperson for the Trafford Centre responded to the criticism, saying: “The Squid Game activation in the centre was a static, one-day selfie opportunity for adult fans of the popular Netflix TV show to enjoy.
“The doll appeared as part of a UK tour, allowing fans aged 16 and over to see the doll close-up and pose alongside for pictures.
“Anyone aged under 16 had to be accompanied by an adult.”
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