Discussion of Netflix show"13 Reasons Why" banned in Albertan Elementary School

[ReggieBush]

Quote

 

Since its release last month, Netflix’s YA fiction adaptation 13 Reasons Why has attracted a heavy dose of controversy for its depiction of the suicide of a young high school student. On the one hand, there are those—like Jay Asher, author of the show’s source novel—who claim that its depiction of suicide de-glamorizes the act, while encouraging people to look for signs of potential danger in the people around them. Others, however, have slammed the show, backed up with statistics that show that media about suicide encourages people to commit self-harm.

Now, several schools and school boards in Canada have put their foot down on the matter, with at least one banning all discussion of the program by its students. To be fair, though, that school—located in Alberta—is an elementary school, and its sixth graders were apparently discussing the program’s various lurid and violent details. The note sent home to students about the program reads thus:

The discussion that is unfolding at school is troubling. This series is rated Mature and the theme is the suicide of a high school student. This show includes graphic violence (rape) and gore, profanity, alcohol/drugs/smoking, and frightening/intense scenes. The purpose of this email is to provide you with this information. Please let your child know that discussion of 13 Reasons Why is not permitted at school due to the disturbing subject matter.”

Meanwhile, an Ontario school board issued a statement to parents, warning that the series may “harm students who struggle with mental health challenges,” and noting that they’ve asked teachers not to use the show as a teaching aid. (The board also prepared a list of guidelines to help parents talk with their kids about the show.) Meanwhile, 13 Reasons Why remains incredibly popular, especially online, where it’s the most tweeted-about show of 2017 to date.

 

2

I have seen the show and could not stop watching it (probably not the best to binge watch during exam season). When I came along this article, I was slightly surprised by the controversy it has been receiving. I was not expecting to see the suicide actually being committed and it nearly brought me to tears seeing it happen. However, it made the show feel real. I think that if they refrained from showing such a scene, the effectiveness of the story and the message would be compromised. 

 

While I would agree that it is not a show that an elementary school student should be watching, I think that to censor such discussion is not the right answer either. 

 

What are your opinions on the show, its subject matter, and how they portray bullying/suicide/depression?

[BoesersFlow]

Based off this I'm going to watch it tonight. I saw it yesterday on Netflix and was curious but now this has my attention. 

[Vinny in Vancouver]

I once went through severe depression where I prayed to God daily to take me home. During that time, everything just felt very dark. My mind was not thinking straight.

I haven't seen the show, but I've read spoilers. I will probably see it soon.

But my initial thoughts based on the spoilers is: if you can make sure that only those that are not depressed or feeling suicidal are watching this show, then go for it. Otherwise, you definitely don't want to accidentally give more reasons to someone who is already thinking of ending his or her life.

[Ossi Vaananen]

I considered grabbing the book, but avoided it due to the teeny-bopper cover. Now I'll have to get it, if only in protest. Preventing people from something will always have the opposite effect. 

[Cerridwen]

The show is not appropriate for elementary school-aged children. Which is the age group the OP is directed at. I'm assuming Reggie is no longer in elementary school which means he initially (before it was deemed 'controversial') watched the show with the viewpoint of someone much older.

[Monty]

Show based off YA novel?

 

Pass.

[HI5]

It's an alright show..gets long and childish. But this is definitely not a show for elementary students. 

 

Hopefully those who are mature enough..take the positive factors of the show and not try to replicate. 

[-AJ-]

Haven't seen it, but I've heard about it, primarily though a podcast. From what was said, it seems to somewhat glorify suicide while failing to mention options other than suicide. It's obviously good for the world to be aware and concerned about suicide, but I'm not sure this is the right way to shed light on it.

[The Weasel]

I thought the show was outstanding for what it was and I think they handled the serious themes extremely well, much better than a lot of other shows like Degrassi or Skins. 

 

Banning it will have the effect opposite effect that is intended. They are just giving it more press. When I read the book, I felt hannah came off like a whiner, but I thought the show was a lot better. 

 

There are kids that are struggling with mental health issues, bullying, issues at home, substance abuse, etc. Instead of trying to blame a tv show for potential reasons why a kid could commit suicide, they should be trying to educate students about resources they have available for them if they are struggling, signs that other friends can look out for if they think their friend may be in trouble, letting kids know how important it is not to treat each other like complete garbage because they want some popularity, etc. All of our actions have consequences. 

 

On the other hand, there is no way elementary kids should be watching this show. It is extremely graphic at times and for a much more mature audience. I mean, i know teens will watch mature tv shows anyways whether their parents let them or not, but it's definitely a graphic show. Instead of blaming the show, they should be more concerned about getting help for those students that are in such a dangerous/desperate mindset that they'd let something like a tv show influence their actions. I know a lot of people are able to hide their pain/sadness from others, but there are also a lot of people where the signs are pretty obvious that they are struggling. Reach out a hand when someone is down, don't push them if they are not ready for help. Provide support, but don't push them down further when they are already hurting.  

[Down by the River]

57 minutes ago, Ossi Vaananen said:

I considered grabbing the book, but avoided it due to the teeny-bopper cover. Now I'll have to get it, if only in protest. Preventing people from something will always have the opposite effect. 

This isn't remotely true. 

 

Are you seriously going to watch something in protest because two schools in the whole of Canada don't want their young students discussing it? 

 

No doubt there are elementary school students mature enough to talk about it, but probably lack the depth of understanding to realize that talking about it in front of vulnerable peers might have negative ramifications. 

[-SN-]

13 minutes ago, -AJ- said:

Haven't seen it, but I've heard about it, primarily though a podcast. From what was said, it seems to somewhat glorify suicide while failing to mention options other than suicide. It's obviously good for the world to be aware and concerned about suicide, but I'm not sure this is the right way to shed light on it.

I don't think glorify is the right word, but I can understand why people use it. 

 

I watched it not expecting to like it, and I was genuinely surprised. It does fall into some common tropes, but it's one of the better portrayals of high-school life, angst, depression and bullying. The suicide itself was well done. It was graphic but not excessively violent or over-done. 

 

I do agree it doesn't do enough to show other options, but the way it is it would have marginalized those options anyway. I think it's great if kids watch it, and parents should be proactive to watch it with their kids and engage in discussion about it. 

[JM_]

They still can't play records backwards in Alberta so no surprise here. 

[Down by the River]

1 minute ago, The Weasel said:

I thought the show was outstanding for what it was and I think they handled the serious themes extremely well, much better than a lot of other shows like Degrassi or Skins. 

 

Banning it will have the effect opposite effect that is intended. They are just giving it more press. When I read the book, I felt hannah came off like a whiner, but I thought the show was a lot better. 

 

There are kids that are struggling with mental health issues, bullying, issues at home, substance abuse, etc. Instead of trying to blame a tv show for potential reasons why a kid could commit suicide, they should be trying to educate students about resources they have available for them if they are struggling, signs that other friends can look out for if they think their friend may be in trouble, letting kids know how important it is not to treat each other like complete garbage because they want some popularity, etc. All of our actions have consequences. 

 

On the other hand, there is no way elementary kids should be watching this show. It is extremely graphic at times and for a much more mature audience. I mean, i know teens will watch mature tv shows anyways whether their parents let them or not, but it's definitely a graphic show. Instead of blaming the show, they should be more concerned about getting help for those students that are in such a dangerous/desperate mindset that they'd let something like a tv show influence their actions. I know a lot of people are able to hide their pain/sadness from others, but there are also a lot of people where the signs are pretty obvious that they are struggling. Reach out a hand when someone is down, don't push them if they are not ready for help. Provide support, but don't push them down further when they are already hurting.  

It was not banned. In fact, one of the two schools that have asked students to not talk about it at school also put together a list of ways that parents can talk about the show's sensitive themes (i.e., they are providing ways to meaningfully facilitate conversation about the show, which is almost the opposite of 'banning it')

[The Weasel]

7 minutes ago, Down by the River said:

It was not banned. In fact, one of the two schools that have asked students to not talk about it at school also put together a list of ways that parents can talk about the show's sensitive themes (i.e., they are providing ways to meaningfully facilitate conversation about the show, which is almost the opposite of 'banning it')

I didn't actually read this particular article. I have a teacher friend in alberta that said the kids are banned from talking about the show at her school so i assumed that it must have been one of the same ones.  edit: Okay, it was just how i worded it. yes, i understand the school can not ban students from watching it. I was talking about banning them from talking about it.  Thank you for informing me about the other part of the extra info they have provided for parents. i did not know about that. 

 

On the other hand, I think that even a lot of parents aren't mental health experts and may do more damage than harm if they try to explain what's happening to their kids vs. a mental health professional giving students a talk, etc.

[-AJ-]

1 minute ago, StealthNuck said:

I don't think glorify is the right word. 

 

I watched it not expecting to like it, and I was genuinely surprised. It does fall into some common tropes, but it's one of the better portrayals of high-school life, angst, depression and bullying. The suicide itself was well done. It was graphic but not excessively violent or over-done. 

 

I do agree it doesn't do enough to show other options, but the way it is it would have marginalized those options anyway. I think it's great if kids watch it, and parents should be proactive to watch it with their kids and engage in discussion about it. 

Like I said, I didn't watch it, so my opinions could be different if I bothered to.

 

In reference to the bolded part, I think this is hugely important whenever anything controversial or influential comes into a child's life, particularly with media. Having a discussion about it with the child can help ensure that they don't take the media in the wrong way and you as a parent can guide your child somewhat.

[ManUtd]

23 minutes ago, Down by the River said:

This isn't remotely true. 

 

Are you seriously going to watch something in protest because two schools in the whole of Canada don't want their young students discussing it? 

 

No doubt there are elementary school students mature enough to talk about it, but probably lack the depth of understanding to realize that talking about it in front of vulnerable peers might have negative ramifications. 

Would be willing to bet that was just an exaggeration for effect but I have to agree with the general premise. I wouldn't have given this show so much as a second thought if not for a friend telling me not to watch it but that made it irresistible. There's plenty of people out there who will suddenly develop an interest in something the moment someone tells them it's off limits. 

[stonecoldstevebernier]

I read the book when I was in high school and really enjoyed the TV show. I found that unlike most book-to-screen adaptations it actually did a really good job of adding depth to the story and characters that made them more interesting... I  was actually pretty taken aback by the realism of the sexual assault and suicide scenes which were both fairly graphic, and can understand the issues people would have with it. I also think it could probably be uncomfortable to watch for anyone who's been sexually assaulted. Its definitely not something elementary school kids should be watching as its one of those shows that requires a level of emotional maturity to recognize what's real and what's not, although it is a good opportunity for parents to talk to their kids about issues like depression, bullying, and suicide.

 

As for the "glorifying suicide" allegations... I don't really agree with that. I think the show did a good job portraying how people respond to suicide (especially Hannah's parents, who I thought were incredibly well written). It felt more geared towards people who are in a position to help others with depression/suicidal thoughts, and meant as a message for us to be more considerate of what's going on in another person's life. As well, I liked how they showed the human aspects of some of the "bully" characters - not everyone handles abuse the same way, some become withdrawn and shut off like Hannah, some act out and put on a front like Justin. You also see characters like Clay, Zach, Mr. Porter, etc, who are not necessarily bad people but chose not to do anything when they could've helped prevent someone from taking her own life... a reminder to those of us in real life to act differently, I like to think..

[Wonder__Bread]

As someone who's been there and did a very good job at hiding the signs I think they did a great job. It doesn't glorify suicide, if anything it pushes you farther away from it. While I was watching it I couldn't help but get emotionally invested in Hannah's story. She was extremely whiny but you still couldn't help but to like her so when she finally ended her life you get feelings of regret, sadness, anger. One of my friends growing up committed suicide around the same age as Hannah in the show and I'm not gonna act like this show would've saved his life but I think it definitely could've helped. They did a very good job of recreating the emotions felt when someone commits suicide and the effects it has on everyone. Some parts were a little extreme, but it is a TV show after all.  

 

If anything students should study this show. I do agree however that elementary is far too early. I would say 9th grade would be a good time to start. That seems to be the year where teens have it the hardest for whatever reason. If anyone believes that a TV show would be the deciding factor in someone killing or not killing themselves then you need to think harder.    

[HerrDrFunk]

3 hours ago, Ossi Vaananen said:

I considered grabbing the book, but avoided it due to the teeny-bopper cover. Now I'll have to get it, if only in protest. Preventing people from something will always have the opposite effect. 

Way to stick it to a couple of schools/school board!

[MikeyBoy44]

2 hours ago, S'all Good Man said:

They still can't play records backwards in Alberta so no surprise here.