• “Beast Games” is an Amazon Prime Video game show conceived by the renowned YouTube personality, MrBeast.
• Although the show is ostensibly family-friendly, its underlying messages regarding monetary concepts induce a degree of discomfort.
• One might advocate for enjoyment of the spectacle while simultaneously urging young viewers to recognize the stark contrast between entertainment and real-world financial dynamics.

The debut of “Beast Games” on Amazon Prime Video last Thursday provided an engaging watch for my elementary-aged son and me. As an adult, I found the viewing experience captivating and highly entertaining. However, as a parent, I am compelled to scrutinize the potentially misleading implications about money that the show conveys to impressionable young viewers.

Children in elementary school, regardless of their exposure to platforms like YouTube, readily recognize MrBeast—he is a luminary within Generation Alpha. His merchandise, including candy bars, is ubiquitous in grocery stores, and his influence resonates in playgrounds and school cafeterias.

Among the myriad lessons I aspire to instill in my children is the intrinsic value of money: that it derives from diligence and effort, and that prudent budgeting is paramount.

However, “Beast Games” appears, at times, to undermine these fundamental principles. The handling of money is portrayed as a transient, almost trivial phenomenon, devoid of the hard realities associated with financial gain. The show commences with MrBeast dramatically positioned atop a monumental pile of cash, heralded as the largest prize ever awarded in game show history.

The programme’s framework involves contestants engaging in a series of challenges to vie for this colossal monetary reward—a concept reminiscent of his most popular YouTube ventures.

While the forthcoming episodes promise physical challenges, the initial instalment predominantly features psychological evaluations. These early challenges aim to distill the contestant roster from 1,000 participants to a more manageable 500, utilizing variations of the prisoner’s dilemma that juxtapose individual gain against collective welfare.

Concerns Regarding the Messages Conveyed by ‘Beast Games’

While the scenarios unfold as intellectually stimulating for an adult audience, I harbor reservations about a child’s capacity to grasp the emotional gravity associated with the potential loss of financial opportunities.

In the context of the game, money is depicted as a malleable object—an element to be piled up or thrown about indiscriminately, rendering it devoid of authenticity and real-world significance.

Representatives of MrBeast have opted not to comment on this discourse.

While numerous game shows dispense cash prizes, including those deemed suitable for younger audiences, such as “Is It Cake?” or the classic “Double Dare” on Nickelodeon, the financial reward typically serves as a delightful culmination rather than the focal point of the competition.

In stark contrast, “Beast Games” positions money at its core, effectively intertwining the very nature of the contests with financial stakes. This overt emphasis raises concerns about the nuanced message it imparts to young minds yet to understand the complexities of earning a legitimate income.

Update: December 20, 2024 — Representatives for MrBeast declined to provide comments upon request; the account has been updated accordingly.