13 reasons why - my 13 years old ds wants to watch it - I'm going to let him I think

[Thetitisright]

Unreasonable ? He is a pretty mature lad !

There aren't any spoilers in this thread?

I know that mental health agencies are concerned about it, because it crosses lines that UK broadcasters don't cross nowadays.

Essentially there is fairly strong evidence that media portrayal of suicide can increase the likelihood of youngsters killing themselves - as in the "epidemic" of suicides in South Wales a few years ago. Once the media stopped publishing pictures of the dead children and the people grieving for them and the speculations about why they might have done it, then the whole thing calmed right down and it stopped happening.

There are concerns that this series will, by vulnerable teens, be seen as something admirable and thus worth copying. I won't be watching it for that reason. And I wouldn't allow my teenager to watch it under the recommended age, as you can never tell exactly what is going on in a teenagers head.

I have only seen the first two episodes, but already have the sense that it is romanticising suicide (beautiful girl kills herself……..) and also that her motive was revenge, as stated upthread. I don't think it is suitable for impressionable teens.

I have watched it and I would say it should be a 15.

Rape/drugs/drink are implicit to the plot and spoiler alert so skip if you want:

You see Hannah slit her wrists with a razor blade.

I think it has quite mature themes but watch it first yourself and then decide.

That's different from the book then. She overdoses in the book, but there's no scene. Clay just says she took a bunch of pills.

In the series she steals a pack of razors from the pharmacy her parents work at and slits her wrists, then her mum finds her in the bath. Pretty harrowing stuff, so on reflection, maybe 13 is too young.

I was just thinking earlier today that everyone from age 13 should watch the series if only to understand how implications of ones own actions and, probably more importantly, inaction can impact others. Yes it is a bit close to the bone on a few moments but a 13 year old could deal with it.

I wouldn't. It glorifies suicide. It portrays suicide as the 'perfect revenge' and also justifies self harm. It makes it seem like the only way to effectively send a message to the world is to kill yourself and leave tapes/a note when in reality it's more effective to survive, thrive and tell your story.
When Hannah asks for help she is fobbed off which could prevent anyone who genuinely feels suicidal to ask for help.
It simplifies suicide and doesn't address the subject of mental illness at all, which is a major component.

I have a 14 yo dd and a 13 yo ds. I'm pretty lenient in what I let them watch but they'll not be watching this.

It's like Dawson's Creek merged with Kids.
I thought it was self indulgent nonsense and struggled to stay with it. None of the characters feel authentic, DD is 12 and got bored with it.

DON'T!! I was on a Mental Health First Aid course and the trainers strongly advised people NOT to watch it and definitely not vulnerable family members.

My dd, aged 17, watched it and she felt that it glorified suicide.

'In the series she steals a pack of razors from the pharmacy her parents work at and slits her wrists, then her mum finds her in the bath. Pretty harrowing stuff, so on reflection, maybe 13 is too young.'

That's quite gratuitous. They run a shoe shop in the book and the only reference is Clay's saying she took a bunch of pills.

I didn't like the book, tbh.

Yeah, I didn't find any of the characters very believable and tbh, they were all a bunch of cunts.

Bombaybunty I imagine they're talking about Blue Whale.

I let my 14 year old son watch it, i think it highlights the butterfly effect perfectly, and in this day and age of social media this is imperative that they understand that.

It also has a strong message of what is consent, which teenage boys and girls need to know.

It may be uncomfortable viewing at times, but I thought it was good and actually think it should be shown in high schools! It opened up brilliant dialect between my son and I, and highlights a lot of what that age experience to a certain degree.

The fact that teens can relate to it is important for them to understand how all actions have consequences.

I watched it with my dd12 & ds13. I did read reviews first, and we fast forwarded a scene towards the end. But unfortunately both my kids have had first hand experience of bullying,depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts & seeing a friend in crisis with suicidal thoughts. So this series helped them to organise their thought and feelings as it's been me helping them as there is a long wait list for professional help. I found it really useful,and I really think my kids did too, but that might be because of what we have been through.

I've watched it, but DD (13) got bored. It is self-indulgent, and the writing is far too coherent to have been a teenager suffering enough to commit suicide. I also found it to be the typical American teen thing of EVERYONE (even the geek and loser kids) being way too good looking and 'polished' and articulate (like in Dawson's Creek) so it felt pretty manufactured rather than realistic. Also far too drawn out and self indulgent - could have been done in half the time.

I live in the US and teach 13 - 14 year olds. Almost all of them have watched it and think pretty much the same. Almost all of them have read the book before as well.

Oakmaiden, guardian of my galaxy: 17 year old agrees with every word of your posts. Says most of it is 'ok' but wishes she'd not seen the end, felt sick.

I wouldn't encourage young teens to watch it and definitely not alone. I think it is the sort of thing which needs careful discussion around the topics. It is also very American and the young people involved are much older than 13.

'I live in the US and teach 13 - 14 year olds. Almost all of them have watched it and think pretty much the same. Almost all of them have read the book before as well.'

Yeah, it was like an episode of Skins.

I personally think it should be a must watch for most teens. It's surprisingly educationalz

I have nearly finished the series. I have a 13 yr old dd and wouldn't let her watch it and i don't think she would want to.

btw - DD was in the same room as me when I watched it. I did pause it and ask her if she was OK. She was, but at the same time saw how it could be upsetting.

Great programme but dealt with things really badly. She made everyone responsible for her own decisions (excluding the rape) and expected a boy's love to save her 🙄

There aren't any spoilers in this thread?

So saying she gets raped isn't a spoiler? Ok