Yet another controversy has struck the sensational and binge-worthy Netflix series ’13 Reasons Why’, ahead of a much-anticipated season three release scheduled for later this year. A study published on April 29 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has found that the release of the show timed with a spike in the monthly suicide rate among American youth aged between 10 and 17. “Caution regarding the exposure of children and adolescents to the series is warranted,” the study said.
When researchers at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio, analysed suicide rates among people of different age groups, they found that teen suicide rates saw the biggest surge in April 2017 — a month after 13 Reasons Why premiered on March 31
The study also revealed that there were 195 more suicides than the expected rate following the show’s initial release in March 2017. However, one setback the study suffers from is that it ostensibly establishes correlation, not causation, making it tricky to prove a direct link between 13 Reasons Why and the increase in suicide rates. However, the study controlled for other factors that could have influenced suicide rates including seasonal variations.
Prior to the release of the study, many had come up with criticism against the show, pointing out that its graphic (and verbal) depictions of suicide could lead to an increase of suicide rates and of suicide risks. The show was accused of romanticising suicide and making it look like a viable option when something like bullying befalls a person.
One of the show’s scriptwriters, Nic Sheff, defended the show in an article published in Vanity Fair in 2017, saying: "From the very beginning, I agreed that we should depict the suicide with as much detail and accuracy as possible. I even argued for it — relating the story of my own suicide attempt to the other writers”.
The new study has Netflix on its feet, reviewing the content of the show. "It's a critically important topic, and we have worked hard to ensure that we handle this sensitive issue responsibly," the Netflix spokesman said.
The spokesperson also mentioned that the new study contradicts the recent finding of a group of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, according to which youngsters who watched 13 Reasons Why were less inclined towards self-harm and suicidal ideation compared to others who did not watch the series.
