13 Reasons Why: Helpful or Harmful

A show that shone a light on topics that were unspoken of.

Earlier this year, the world was introduced to a new show called 13 Reasons Why. Everybody was intrigued with this program as it had a different sense to other programs on tv. It spoke about, depicted situations and addressed topics such as suicide, rape, self harm and mental health issues. The show is about a teenage girl who commits suicide and leaves behind 13 tapes that detail why she decided to end her life. Each tape was addressed to a particular person, having recordings explaining how they all contributed to her suicide in some way. Although the show has a dark background, it was still loved by many as it dared to discuss topics that other shows and people in real life shy away from.

Although it is somewhat good that these topics were depicted and discussed, there is the underlying question whether the show was more helpful or harmful especially to its young audience. It was shown that the average audience for this show ranged between many ages but did include people as young as 10. It was advised that anyone under the age of 18 watch the show in the supervision of their parents or guardian. The show included scenes of graphic content such as self harm, rape and the actual suicide of the young girl. This could potentially be alarming for young people as these scenes may in a way act as triggers or be damaging to some minds. It was shown that in some schools, teachers reported that they had noticed an increase in suicidal and self harm behaviour from its students and that they associated it to the show. This show has the potential to be damaging to the young minds of its viewers and many psychologists have warned against young people viewing this series altogether.

Due to the mature content included as well as the possibility of harmful triggers during the show, Netflix had to include strong advisory warnings in the beginning of each episode.  In Australia, the calls to the Youth Mental Health Service dramatically increased after the premiere of the series. This shows how the program may have been more harmful in some aspects to the minds of its young viewers.

Although, the argument can still be debated on whether the show is more harmful or helpful, it all comes down to the viewer themselves and how they take the show. In some way, it was helpful as it shone a light on topics and situations that are disregarded in Hollywood and in real life. It was also harmful as many viewers may have taken the show the wrong way and may have been damaged by the scenes depicted in the series.





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