Concerns about contagion as a result of media exposure to suicide dates back to the Werther effect, first documented in 1774. Because this study’s respondents were from a general population sample, the study did not address the concern that certain subgroups of youths might be particularly vulnerable to the series’ content.ĭecades of research have substantiated the potentially detrimental impact of exposure to violent media images or content among children and youths. Younger viewers and those with higher social anxiety were especially sensitive to the intensity of the suicide and sexual assault scenes ( 23). Notably, however, 43% of viewers disagreed with the statement, “The way the suicide was depicted was appropriate for me personally,” and 33% reported that the content was too graphic. The survey revealed other benefits from watching the series-for instance, half of the respondents reported having apologized to someone for past mistreatment. sample reported talking to their parents about the series and related issues, supporting the producers’ hopes that the series would promote parent-child conversations about difficult topics such as suicide ( 2). The majority (71%) of participants in the U.S. In an effort to inform and educate, several national agencies, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, responded by distributing talking points about the series ( 18– 22).Ī study of a community sample of adolescents ages 13 to 22 from four global regions, including the United States, was commissioned by Netflix to explore reactions to the series ( 23). Following the release of season 1, there were also reports of increases in the volume of youths presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with suicide-related concerns ( 16, 17). Anecdotal examples of youths engaging in suicidal and self-harm behavior, citing the series as an influence, heightened the concern of health professionals, parents, and educators ( 14, 15). This phenomenon was balanced by an increase of 21% in searches for suicide hotline numbers and an increase of 26% in searches for suicide prevention ( 13). In the days following the release of 13 Reasons Why, season 1, suicide-related Internet searches increased markedly, with searches of how to “commit suicide” increasing by 26%. Notably, these concerns exist in the context of the rapid rise in suicide rates for youths in the United States, most significantly among adolescent girls ( 12). Criticism includes assertions that the producers did not adhere to media guidelines about suicide, citing the evidence regarding suicide contagion ( 7– 11). Some have recommended that vulnerable youths avoid the series or that Netflix cancel the series ( 5, 6). Some argue that the show glorifies suicide and could negatively influence vulnerable youths, whereas others believe that the series sheds light on important topics, thereby increasing awareness and promoting conversations about the reality of life in high school ( 2– 4). The series has generated significant discussion among parents, teachers, youths, and the suicide prevention community because of its handling of the topic of teen suicide and its graphic depiction of suicide and sexual assault ( 1). In 2017, Google searches about the show in the United States exceeded those for any other television or streaming series (/trends/yis/2017/US). The Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, a recounting of 13 reasons why a high school student chose to die by suicide, was released in March 2017 and has proven both popular and controversial. Given the potential for youths with mental health issues to view media content that may worsen their symptoms, increased parental knowledge of their viewing habits is recommended. The majority of youths at high risk of suicide in this sample watched the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why alone and did not discuss related topics with a parent or other adult.Ībout half of the youth viewers reported that watching 13 Reasons Why increased their suicide risk, and strong identification with the lead female character was correlated with this belief.Įmphasis on peer-focused interventions is warranted because of the likelihood that youths primarily reach out to friends to discuss difficult topics.
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