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: 2) by Immerman on Wednesday May 03 2017, @04:39PM (5 children)
However, the people contacting mental health services are almost certainly going to fall into the realm of those who have been emboldened into seeking help, or who are recognizing potential warning signs in their loved ones. As such, an increase in such contacts has essentially nothing to do with any real risks of increasing the odds of suicide, if anything it's evidence of the exact opposite.
Now, if they saw an uptick in actual suicide attempts rather than in people seeking help... then maybe there's a problem. As it is, at worst there's maybe cause to pay closer attention to any potential warning signs of more destructive trends that haven't yet been noticed.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Wednesday May 03 2017, @05:30PM (4 children)
Here also lies an assumption that mental health services actually will improve matters.. ;)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 03 2017, @06:05PM (2 children)
Here also lies an assumption that anybody who works to improve the world is a loser because you personally are too incompetent to contribute anything of value to the world.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Wednesday May 03 2017, @08:21PM
The path to hell is paved with good intentions comes to mind..
(Score: 1) by khallow on Thursday May 04 2017, @12:37AM
Here also lies an assumption that anybody who works to improve the world is a loser because you personally are too incompetent to contribute anything of value to the world.
Why would you think that? In addition to the already mentioned, well-known problem that good intentions frequently don't result in good outcomes, we also have the notorious incurable nature of many mental illnesses. For example, you can't put a splint on mental depression to keep it from getting worse nor can you neatly excise schizophrenia like you would a small cancerous tumor.
Having said that, I gather a fair bit of people considering suicide do so due to temporary suck in their lives, such as the recent loss of a loved one. Merely talking it over with someone could result in them reconsidering long enough to recover from their bout of depression.
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Wednesday May 03 2017, @11:01PM
That's more than an assumption: There have been studies [jamanetwork.com] on that very question. It turns out ad campaigns aren't effective, at all, but getting mental health treatments to people that need them are.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.