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The controversial show about teen suicide millions of your friends on Twitter are talking about is getting increased content warnings.
The move is the latest in the conversation about the Netflix original program "13 Reasons Why", coming as a response to the backlash and concern about the show's suitability for young viewers.
The streamer released a statement Monday promising to "add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode." It has also "strengthened the messaging and resource language in the existing cards for episodes that contain graphic subject matter, including the URL 13ReasonsWhy.info."
Mental health organisations in Australia reported increased calls and emails since the program's launch in March. In April, New Zealand's classification body ruled that Netflix would have to display a clear warning for the entire series as well as individual episodes, branding it with the region's first ever RP18 rating. The new classification -- created for the program -- recommends people under the age of 18 watch the program only under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by AthanasiusKircher on Wednesday May 03 2017, @03:16PM (1 child)
I'm not sure if this was meant to be funny or not. The fact that some mod has already marked it "insightful" is disturbing, though.
No, suicide prevention is a selfish act. What right do you have to demand that somebody else serve you against their will?
On the off-chance this was actually serious... (and more importantly to whoever modded this "insightful"):
Well, perhaps for one obvious reason -- in the present case, we're talking about the suicide of MINORS. Parents and guardians restrict the actions of minors all the time. Why? Because minors don't yet have enough experience of the world to sometimes make reasonable decisions for themselves in all things. Just last night I was talking with an acquaintance of mine who is involved in counseling, and he was talking about how he had recently had to deal with parents of a 12-year-old girl who had committed suicide. Even this guy who has had experience with a lot of tough cases was distraught over this: as he said, what can a 12-year-old know of the world and potential suffering and life experience as a whole to justify such an action?
That's not to downplay the potential suffering of minors. (And note in the case above we're not talking about a girl who was dying and suffering from horrible pain in cancer or something.) But minors need guidance and perspective. I thought that'd be obvious.
And even if we're talking about adults, depression is often not just a "mental" thing. A lot of times there are chemical imbalances that drive or at least contribute to depression. And even adults frequently lose "perspective" when they become suicidal.
Note that I'm not against all suicide. Even absent significant pain and suffering (i.e., euthanasia), an adult should have the freedom to choose to take his/her own life. But the vast majority of people who do so often are not making rational choices, and many who attempt suicide regret they did so later. Helping someone make what is undoubtedly the MOST important decision of their life (because in making it, they end their life) by providing perspective or support or help is a very kind thing.
And I applaud those counselors who do it day-after-day. I'm not sure I'd have the strength to do that sort of job.
(Score: 2) by Wootery on Friday May 05 2017, @08:14AM
A very comprehensive reply. I have but one up-mod to give.