Urgent warning for Netflix to pull 13 Reasons Why

Publish Date
Wednesday, 23 May 2018, 4:26PM
Photo/Instagram

Photo/Instagram

This article contains spoilers and distressing content.

The second season of 13 Reasons Why was released on Netflix on Friday and US parenting groups have already called for the controversial teen drama 13 Reasons Why to be cancelled.

Their concerns are due to a plotline which features a graphic rape scene that drives the victim to attempt a school shooting.

The Parents Television Council are asking creators and Netflix to pull both seasons of the show "because of the potentially harmful content".

The release of the series had unfortunate timing, as the same day 10 teenagers were killed in the Santa Fe school shooting.

Due to this, the LA premiere for the show was cancelled but the episodes were still made available that day.

The second season of 13 Reasons Why culminates in a rape scene where a bullied character, Tyler is sexually assaulted with a mop handle, this provokes Tyler to undertake a school shooting. 

Parents Television Council President Tim Winter said: "Netflix has delivered a ticking time bomb to teens and children who watch 13 Reasons Why.

The content and thematic elements of the second season are even worse than we expected.

We would have liked to have 13 reasons for hope and redemption following the graphic suicide of the lead female teen character, but rather than providing a path forward, the season only provides cause for despondency."

The first season of the show was heavily criticised by teachers, parents' groups, The Samaritans and academics, who said it led to a spike in Google searches about how to commit suicide.

The backlash from the first season led to the creators taking a more careful approach with the second season.

The new season is pre-empted with a video of the actors urging younger viewers not to watch if they thought they might be might be upset by its "tough, real-world issues", or to watch the programme with an adult. The show also promotes rape and suicide crisis helplines.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:

 LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
 YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
 KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
 WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757

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