A 12-year-old British boy died after attempting to recreate a deadly scene from Netflix’s “Squid Game,” highlighting the dangerous influence violent streaming content has on impressionable children.
Tragic Recreation of Netflix Violence
Sebastian Cizman of Glasshoughton, West Yorkshire, was discovered motionless on his family’s stairs in June with a sheet wrapped around his neck. His cousin found the boy’s lifeless body, and despite paramedic efforts, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. An inquest revealed that Sebastian was attempting to recreate a scene from the dystopian Netflix series where characters face deadly consequences in children’s games.
Un écolier a été retrouvé mort par son cousin après avoir tenté de reproduire une scène du jeu Squid Games pour faire une blague, a-t-on appris lors de l'enquête.
Sebastian Cizman, 12 ans, a été retrouvé inconscient au domicile familial à Glasshoughton, dans le West Yorkshire,… pic.twitter.com/0XaWutxkif
— Claire Langoulant – Royaliste Légitimiste (@ClaireRoya14724) December 31, 2025
Digital Evidence Points to Media Influence
Investigators found compelling evidence on Sebastian’s phone linking his death to the popular South Korean series. Police discovered an image of a “Squid Game” character who died by hanging, and Sebastian had shared this same disturbing image in a WhatsApp group chat on the day he died. The boy was known among friends as a prankster who would pretend to be unconscious during play-fighting, suggesting he may have viewed this fatal recreation as another harmless stunt.
Parental Warnings Proved Insufficient
Sebastian’s family had previously discussed the dangers of online challenges with him, recognizing the growing trend of deadly social media stunts claiming young lives worldwide. Despite their warnings and his assurances that he wouldn’t participate in such activities, the boy’s curiosity about the show’s violent imagery proved fatal. Police found no evidence he had been searching for dangerous TikTok challenges, but discovered he had looked up a YouTube video about “surviving choking alone.”
Sebastian Cizman, 12, was found unresponsive at his family's home in Glasshoughton, West Yorkshire, during his younger brother's First Holy Communion celebrations. pic.twitter.com/8zsZm9x8Ih
— Prime Time (@primetime_ge) December 31, 2025
Streaming Platform Accountability Questions
This tragedy raises serious concerns about content responsibility and parental controls on streaming platforms. While “Squid Game” carries mature ratings, the series’ popularity among children demonstrates how violent content infiltrates young audiences despite age restrictions. Sebastian’s parents described him as a happy, mentally healthy child with no previous signs of depression or self-harm, making this incident a stark reminder of how entertainment violence can inspire deadly imitation among impressionable youth.