Teenagers with a background of mental illness are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and act on them. So, it's important to show suicide and other related actions accurately.
Even though 13 Reasons Why is a very popular TV show that has been talked about worldwide, some people are worried about how it might affect teens. This piece will discuss some of these worries and show what the series does and doesn't do for teens.
Teenagers are easily influenced and hurt, often acting on what they see in the media. This includes copying behaviours, which can make young people feel bad about themselves and hurt their bodies.
Studies have shown that depictions of suicide can be bad for teenagers, especially if they are at high risk for suicidal thoughts and actions. This is called the "Werther effect," but there could also be good effects, like more people knowing about suicide, less stigma, and more people asking for help.
When done right, media can help people get help, debunk myths, and keep hope alive, all of which can save lives.
This is especially true of movies and TV shows that show people who have committed suicide. So, it's important to think about the details of these media and how they affect the things that make people more likely to commit suicide. It's also important to consider what could go wrong if you try to control or limit this material.
The way suicide is shown in the media is a way to make kids who are having mental health problems feel bad about themselves. It makes them want to kill themselves instead of getting help.
This is shown by the blue whale suicide game, which tells teens to hurt themselves or kill themselves. At least 130 deaths around the world have been linked to these games. Media makers need to follow the rules so this behaviour doesn't become the norm.
When suicide is shown on TV, in the movies, or online, it can make people more likely to want to kill themselves or hurt themselves. It can also make people misunderstand what suicide is and spread false ideas about it.
The best way to keep the effects to a minimum is to follow simple rules when preparing material for the screen. The clearest and most effective ways to do this are not to show or talk about the act of suicide itself and to show that help is available.
Suicide can be stopped with the help of the media as long as it is used responsibly. It can make people more likely to ask for help, bust myths, and give them hope.
The best way to do this is to avoid showing methods or processes that could hurt people and instead show characters who deal with suicidal thoughts but don't try to kill themselves.
The way suicide and self-harm are glamorized and shown in the media can be harmful to sensitive people like teens. Through repeated exposure and modelling, especially on social media, these portrayals are likely to make harmful behaviours seem normal, which can hurt susceptible groups.
Several studies have found that how media material affects suicidal thoughts and attempts depends on the person's age, gender, and past experiences with suicide. (Gould). Still, many depictions of suicide can have good effects, like making people more aware of suicide and reducing its stigma and encouraging people at risk of suicidal thoughts to seek help.
Teenagers like the show 13 Reasons Why. It shows teens dealing with problems like depression, worry, and hurting themselves.
It's also a very funny show. The people in the story poke fun at themselves and their problems. This is something that many teens do, and it could be dangerous.
The way death is shown in the 13 Reasons Why series is one of the most disturbing things about it. In one scene, a character cuts herself and says, "Suicide is for cowards."
Teens often think about or try to kill themselves, and dealing with this problem is important. It's also important to avoid stigmatizing suicide. People think that stigma gets in the way of gatekeeping and could make people less likely to try to help someone at risk of suicide.
When suicide is shown in movies, TV shows, or commercials, it can make people want to do it themselves. It can also make people confused about what suicide is, spread myths, and make it harder to avoid suicide.
The effects of suicide on teenagers are especially bad. They are more likely to be affected by the media than adults, and when they have serious thoughts, they are less likely to go to a doctor or get help.
Studies have shown that the media has a big effect on suicide rates. For example, exposure to fake stories about suicide can make people act like the characters, which is called suicide contagion.
More study needs to be done on how the media affects suicides among young people. Considering how social media can expose young people to harmful or suggestive material is especially important.
