re: Netflix’s ’13 Reasons Why’ May Cause A Suicide Spike, Scientists Caution

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A Google search as the sole basis behind potential "suicidal thoughts" seems pretty vague from a correlation/causation standpoint.

I'm of the belief that if someone is in a place mentally to commit suicide they're going to get that information whether they've watched a show or not.

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That's not really the point. The point is that the show, whether intentionally or not, somewhat glamorizes suicide or at least creates a very likeable and relatable character who was at one time a nobody and turns her into somewhat of a hero.

I think the fear is that people contemplating suicide,particularly high school kids, do so out of a feeling of lack of self worth. This show illustrates how an otherwise forgetable high school girl became infamous and the most talked about person in this small town because she killed herself and left tapes explaining why. I don't think it's illogical to assume that some teenagers might see this as an opportunity to get the attention or notariety they have longed for, even if that attention or notariety comes after they are dead.