1. Romanticizes Teen Suicide
Some psychologists have spoken out about the show, encouraging parents not to let their kids watch it because it "arguably sensationalizes teen suicide and it also makes the topic intriguing and perhaps even more appealing or attractive to certain individuals" (Obershneider).
2. Influences Teens to Imitate Hannah Baker
Sometimes after a highly publicized suicide, whether in a TV series or that of a celebrity, there is a spike in suicide rates. This is known as the Werther Effect. After the airing of Thirteen Reasons Why, there was a spike in searches for suicide and "past studies have validated that internet searches mirror real-world suicide rates, so suicide rates have likely gone up" (Ayers). While the producers of Thirteen Reasons Why may have created it to promote awareness of suicide, it may have lead to increased suicide rates.
3. Graphic Scenes.
The last two episodes featured a rape scene as well as a graphic portrayal of Hannah's suicide. These vivid scenes were inappropriate for the young audience watching the show. Although the rating of the show is TV-MA, since it is a show about high schoolers, naturally, middle schoolers and a younger crowd would be appealed by it.
4. Depicts Unhealthy Ways of Dealing with Mental Illness.
Some critics thought that the story presented in Thirteen Reasons Why doesn't reflect the reality that teens today live in. Instead of talking to somebody about her depression, Hannah decides to avenge all of those who did her wrong by killing herself: a lesson that should not be taught to the audience watching.
5. Rationalizes Blaming Others.
The main Character Hannah uses 13 tapes to blame others for killing her while there are audience suggest the negative thinking way of Hannah is the fourteenth reason that leads to her death. Thirteen Reasons Why might encourage teenagers to place blame upon others put themselves in victim roles.
6. Simplifies Suicide.
The show makes depressive and suicidal thought seem like they can be solely rooted in bullying, and it's just as simple as that when in reality such thoughts can stem from multiple sources, such as familial problems, low self esteem, and
7. Portrays Suicide as a Possible Option.
In Thirteen Reasons Why, main character Hannah chooses suicide as a solution to all the troubles she met. Suicide shouldn't even be an option to deal with problems for teenagers. This show suggests that suicide is one.
8. Doesn't Reflect the Reality that Teens Live in Today.
The show portrayed high schoolers as petty, manipulative bullies with neglectful parents. While this may be the case for some high schoolers, many high schoolers do not experience high school in the way the show suggested that many do.
9. No Mental Health Discussion in the Show Itself.
Although the series released a Beyond the Reasons episode, which included the cast talking about suicide prevention and mental health, it never actually discusses mental health within the show. This is concerning considering the fact that the show is based around having the mental illness of depression.
10. Doesn't Show How People Should Deal with Depression.
As stated previously, instead of showing how people should deal with depression, the show demonstrates that suicide is an option to deal with depression. There is no demonstration of how depression SHOULD be dealt with.
11. Intention of Suicide was Unrealistic.
Hannah Baker committed suicide to teach a lesson. This is a very unrealistic motive for suicide and kind of belittles the very serious reasons that people often do commit suicide for.
12. Portrays Adults as Ignorant.
In Thirteen Reasons Why, Parents, teachers, and psychologists are all described to be irresponsible. They ignore the seriousness of the situation and care little about the teenagers in trouble. In reality, while some parents are like this, many are not.
13. Portrays School Counselors/Psychologists as Useless.
Usually school counselors would be aware of something such as bullying going on because of hearsay, but the school counselor in the show did not even notice Hannah's signs when she went to him before committing suicide.