Posted on 02/10/2018 2:47:25 PM PST by nickcarraway
Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why was a hit for the streamer when it was released in March 2017.
For a company built on buzz, the series generated massive amounts of conversation, including 11 million tweets within its first four weeks of availability. A Golden Globe nomination for star Katherine Langford certainly didn’t hurt either.
Though initially conceived as a limited series, the show did leave things open enough for continued stories and following the mostly positive response, Netflix ordered a second season to debut in spring or summer of this year.
But as has been covered before, the show may also play a contributing factor in suicides.
According to a study conducted last year, Google searches for “how to commit suicide” rose by 26 percent following the show’s release. What particularly worries researchers about this is the proven connection between suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
“Psychiatrists have expressed grave concerns, because the show ignores the World Health Organization’s validated media guidelines for preventing suicide,” coauthor on the study John W. Ayers of San Diego State University told Fatherly.
On one hand, you could argue that 13 Reasons Why is a brave and undiluted depiction of sexual assault, teen violence and suicide. Creating a conversation about those difficult topics helps to raise awareness and promote positive discussions to prevent such incidents.
However, the data also suggests that viewers may be taking some form of inspiration from the show.
By pouring over internet search data in the U.S. from Google Trends, researchers found a considerable rise in suicide searches in early April, just days after the show’s release. A portion of those searches were positive with “suicide hotlines” and “suicide prevention” increasing by 12 and 23 percent, respectively. But other negative searches such as “how to kill yourself” (nine percent), “commit suicide” (18 percent) and “how to commit suicide” (26 percent) increased.
“It’s unsurprising that we find the show has increased suicidal thoughts—thoughts that are known to be linked to suicide attempts,” Ayers says. “The time for more debate is over.”
Ayers and his team have called for Netflix to either remove 13 Reasons Why from its platform or edit it to better adhere to the World Health Organization’s guidelines for suicide depiction.
“I’d create a show that offers a message those contemplating suicide need to hear—a success story of how someone contemplating suicide sought and was given help, and persevered to have a full life,” Ayers suggested. “This is where 13 Reasons Why totally misses the mark.”
Though production on season two has seen some shutdowns due to the California wildfires, Netflix is still gearing up for a sophomore run with several new characters set to be introduced.
People still commit suicide? Why? Obama is out of office and Hillary lost.
Never watched this show, but it seems to me that how a television show or movie depicts something is the sole prerogative of the creator of said show or movie. WHO guidelines aren’t really relevant.
“negative searches such as “how to kill yourself” (nine percent), “commit suicide” (18 percent) and “how to commit suicide” (26 percent) increased.”
Wait.. Lots of people have to google “How to commit suicide”. That’s kinda telling.
And a 26% increase in that search string vs other increases. So many more people are phrasing it that way.
Like the google search results between “yo, how you kill yo self” and “Suicide instructions” is very telling to who is behind the keyboard. I get the idea that some low-rent sorta people are searching these terms.
The shoe may use tested mind techniques to moved people in thst direction.
What if Satanists were in control of Hollywoid? What if really evil people who enjoy the thought they moved someone to end their own life?
What if liberals controlled Hollywood and they wanted to politicize every project they touched? Wouldn’t that be a nightmare?
Thinning the herd works for me..
Well, they are Millennials. They usually have to ask mom and dad how to do anything
There was a guy who killed himself because GWB was president. I always thought he missed the chance to revel in the glory of Obama. But, if he thought he hated liberal old GWB, he’d be pulling out the razor blades for sure over President Trump!
Sad what people will throw their lives away for.
No surprise. Life has been cheapened. Sad though. Something more to pray about.
What if Liberal leaders and blood drinking Satanists were one and the same?
“Thinning the herd works for me.”
Your cavalier attitude toward suicide is nasty and disgusting.
Is that because you are so narcissistic that losing a friend or family member to suicide would not bother you, or is it because you have no friends or family to worry over losing?
Watching a TV show doesn’t make someone commit suicide. That would be an excuse.
Life isn’t easy period. You have to work at it and be accountable for for everything you do.
I see suicide as a weakness.. my opinion which I’m entitled to as you are yours along with your analysis of me from a 6 word statement.
“Watching a TV show doesn’t make someone commit suicide. That would be an excuse.”
But that was not your original point.
“I see suicide as a weakness.”
Well I agree in most cases. It is a copout. An act of selfishness and cowardice that does not consider the impact it will have on others.
However, I feel sympathy for families who have been impacted by it. There are people who are susceptible and need to be sheltered from harmful influences. For example, children do not need to see these things in the media.
I vividly remember, as a child, accidentally seeing a TV scene in which a person who committed suicide by locking himself in a freezer (which could not be opened from the inside) was discovered. It was a numbing experience to become aware that people sometimes end their lives. Children are also affected by losing family members this way, and it usually creates a severe trauma. Yes, they are “weak” as you put it, but sometimes that is a human condition over which people do not have direct control.
There are also people in such great pain that suicide is certainly understandable even though not justifiable. Everyone has a breaking point.
I suggest instead of a cavalier attitude toward people who kill themselves by comments like “culling the herd” you rather thank God that you and those you care for have been spared such agonizing pain that suicide becomes a temptation. Don’t be arrogant and think it could not happen to you or someone you care for.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.