Netflix’s ‘13 Reasons Why’ puts teens at risk
Teenage brains are highly susceptible and impressionable to media depictions of suicide and violence
Netflix recently released the second season of the provocative and popular series, “13 Reasons Why,” which was viewed by millions of viewers internationally last year. Mental health professionals everywhere are concerned that the show glorifies teen suicide and violence, and as a result at least 24 independent international medical and mental health organizations have issued a warning statement to potential viewers.
Following the release of the first season in 2017, suicide-related Google searches increased by approximately one million in the 19 days following the release, including a 26 percent increase in queries on “how to commit suicide.”Research identified a statistically significant increase in emergency department presentations of youth with depression, mood or suicidal ideation in the first 41 days following the release. Another study found that 13 out of 14 surveyed emergency departments reported increased youth mental health presentations and 40 percent reported suicidal behaviors and/or attempts that mimicked those depicted in “13 Reasons Why.”
Youth are vulnerable to dramatic portrayals of suicide on screen, and research has identified an increased risk of suicide and suicide attempts using the same methods within the first two weeks of exposure. These studies underscore the body of knowledge that teenage brains are highly susceptible and impressionable to media depictions of suicide and violence.
Parents and mental health professionals have a reason to be concerned. The prevalence of severe depression, or major depressive disorder, in teens has been steadily increasing in the United States from 8.7 percent in 2005 to 11.3 percent in 2014. Teen suicide rates are soaring. From 1999 to 2016, the CDC reports that the U.S. teen suicide rate has increased by 28 percent, with the rate among girls hitting a record high. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death in 10- to 24-year olds nationally, recently surpassing automobile accidents. In New Mexico, 20 to 30 percent of teenagers report having had suicidal thoughts, and approximately 9 percent report having attempted suicide.
The first season of “13 Reasons Why” glorifies suicide by suggesting that the protagonist, Hannah Baker, continues to play an active role in the lives of those she left behind well after her death and implies that she was able to get revenge against all of those who had harmed her by leaving behind tapes implicating them in her death. What the show neglected to convey is that by ending her life, Hannah ended up paying a much greater price than any who were shamed by her tapes. The second season romanticizes suicide by suggesting that the main character, Clay, continues to have an ongoing internal relationship with Hannah despite the fact that she has long since passed. All of these depictions of suicide are patently false and hide the unfortunate truth that suicide shatters entire communities and families, and youth suicide is especially tragic because children have their entire lives ahead of them and so much potential. Lastly, the show proposes carrying out a school shooting as a method of dealing with bullying and does little in the way of modeling healthy ways of reaching out to parents and trusted adults to solve problems in a healthy way.
Parents need to have open dialogues with their children and ask if they are watching “13 Reasons Why.” In addition to suicide, parents should be aware that the show has graphic depictions of sexual assault, violence and substance abuse. Elementaryand middle-school-age children should not be allowed to watch this show. Older teens with a history of trauma, family stressors, school problems, mental health issues or substance abuse issues may be especially at risk. If children are triggered by the show, parents should reach out to a mental health provider. In cases of suicidal thoughts or thoughts of wanting to harm others, parents should call the national or New Mexico suicide hot line, and should call 911 or take their child to the emergency department immediately.