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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: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 04 2017, @07:01AM
As someone who has attempted suicide, I see all news stores about someone committing suicide as "Good job, you've finally gotten away from your horrible life. It may not have been the best choice, but you made it and was able to see it through to the end. Anyone who has the willpower to deliberately kill themselves deserves some respect." The media portrays it as "stupid kid hurts everyone around him despite them never realizing he was horribly depressed. Such a waste, selfishly destroying his life. He should have put a huge smile on his face and pretended to live a wonderful, awesomely fun, and energetic life so everyone won't be bothered by his pain."
Graphic depictions of elements related to suicide? Please. You obviously never fantasied about buying a motorcycle and driving directly into a wall, or have passed out from self-inflicted dehydration, cut yourself just to feel any emotion other than hopelessness, wondered what getting smashed by a car would feel like, etc... Talking about suicide doesn't make people suicidal. Victim blaming the guy who died by saying he was a cowardly selfish low life is what drives those on the edge to kill themselves. The depressed person now applies those labels to himself because he's been thinking about doing exactly the same thing, so he must have the same unfixable character flaws. The world is a better place if I, a low life scum, is removed from it and as a bonus I won't be depressed anymore after I'm dead. A win-win!
There is a bit of the fear of the unknown and watching other people die can put some of that to rest. But at this point, just someone randomly bullying you that day might have been enough anyway. Everyone already knows you can die by hanging, cutting, poison, gun, death by cop, starvation, lack of O2, etc... Hearing details about it doesn't do anything for you. It's more "well if he could do it then I can be as strong as him and kill myself too." People look up to their betters. People escaping their depressed life are better than those who refuse to acknowledge such pain could exist or think pulling yourself up from your bootstraps is easy.
Well, I guess my last quote was an argument against the point I was trying to make. The other suicide doesn't justify your own, it gives you something to aspire to. No one else will give you any encouragement in trying to get better, it's shameful just to even bring it up. But hearing about a suicide doesn't cause that, it's everyone's horrid reaction to the victim (the person who died, not the ones he left behind. They aren't victims, they didn't care enough to risking feeling some awkwardness in trying to help the person.) which causes it.
Really, why are the only role models depressed people have are ones who died? I congratulate everyone who commits suicide. Despite their depression and society holding them back, they were able to succeed in escaping it.