Parent reviews for 13 Reasons Why

I feel that this show dealt with an important subject matter. I do feel like the message was more to treat others kindly vs suicide not being the answer. It's repeatedly discussed that if something had been different, the main character wouldn't have killed herself. I don't feel entirely comfortable with that message. That works well if you're the bully, but if you're being bullied, I do worry that you could feel the suicide is justified. Because of this I think this series is more appropriate for a high school student vs a middle school one. There is also a lot of cursing and very graphic sexual assaults as well as the actual suicide being shown. Again- be aware of prolonged, detailed rape scenes- thrusting, panties being removed, etc, as well as a close shot, detailed scene of wrist slitting. This could start an important dialogue with your child but I definitely think it's more appropriate for older kids and that the parent should discuss their child's interpretation of the series with them.

This is an amazing 1 series TV show that shows the depths of teen suicide that we're all too scared to talk about. I feel that this show is a must see for anyone in 6th grade and up so they can understand how powerful the things they say and do can be. Quite a bit of cursing but I wouldn't say too much because it's set in high school.

This show is very good, and I just need to put that out there. There are many, many mature themes, but this is the perfect show to watch with your teen if you want to have important conversations (some of which could help your kid). There are some good role models, (pretty much just the main) but even they do some iffy things. There is some swearing, drinking, drug use, and violence. But the most disturbing (and realistic) thing about this show are the way it shows depression, suicide, and rape (which are all shown throughout the show, but very rarely graphic). The main themes of this show are depression and suicide, which will is why I think many parents won't let their kids see this show, but this is exactly why teens should see this. Watch this show could make topics such as depression and suicide much less taboo, and make it so your child feels comfortable talking to you if they are going through any of these terrible things. There are two graphic scenes in this show which are (SPOILERS) a rape scene (there are 2 but the second one is much more graphic, although no nudity is shown) and the scene where Hannah (the main girl) slits her wrists. Both of those scenes where very hard to watch, but I would never ever skip them, for they were meant to be that way. The way I see this show is that some parents will think that watching this show could make their kids depressed or suicidal, but the truth couldn't be further away from this. If your teens see this they will open up to you in ways that you could never imagine, and talking to them may just make them happier or stop them from doing something terrible. This show is a must see with your teens, so if your kids are 7th grade or older I beg you to watch this with them maybe not to be entertained, (which you will because the story and people in this show are impossible not to watch) but to make their life better and to have a more open relationship with them. Thank you se much for reading

This series crosses the line for children 16 and under, by scenes of rape, drug use and a student writing a graphic organizer justifying reasons the good and bad people in her life made suicide justifiable (??) It attempts to resolve that she assumed things about them that had she lived she would have found happiness and first love that did not happen, but unfortunately where the book succeeds the movie fails. It's approach and use of party scenes and drunk driving glamour ides this life to young viewers (?) instead shows them only 1 view' of what's "out there." Abysmal.

While I know this contain difficult subject matter, it unfortunately occurs in our world. By sheltering our children from these harsh realities of life we are doing a disservice as parents. Parents need to fully inform their children of the good and bad. They need to know that they always have someone to talk this. This is one thing the movie also showed, no kid thought they could discuss problems with a parent. If one of my children had a horrific thing happen to then and felt they could not come to me then i would be dissapointed in myself as a parent. We can not blame a film for discussing topics that wr as parents are afraid to bring up.

Tough subject matter with an important message. With Selena Gomez being a producer of the series it has a younger audience interested. Many parents I know have inadvertently looked at the common sense review of the book, which gives a rating of 14+ and doesn't have the same ratings on the contents with regard to the graphic nature of the series. Many are realizing it to late after giving the ok. I think more mom's and daughters will be the largest audience to watch this series which is too bad because I really believe it could send a very important message to high school boys.

This story is problematic for many reasons - it is extremely graphic and certainly not appropriate for young teens, if anyone. Second, the series is building to an understanding of why Hannah committed suicide - it felt to me like they were building up to something exciting. Very disturbing and the nuanced view of suicide will keep me from recommending this.

My concern with this show is the dramatic suspenseful treatment of this issue. I watched the first episode and as an adult, it both sickened me and interested me at the same time. I see what they are doing, getting the kids hooked on the suspense of the tapes, who is next? where will the story lead? Bottom line, she dies.. Kills herself. The really ridiculous thing is I want to watch the next episodes. Not to see how her choices effected others but to see what others did to her to influence her to make this choice. It feels voyeuristic and creepy. It feels like there is a problem that needs to be solved, but there isn't. But I have to ask, just how dead is dead when she is being conjured up at every turn by the charachters in their minds. And she is the voice on all the tapes. She is such an active participant in the series. Too active. My kid is watching it at school with her friends on their computers when teachers aren't looking, I am sure of it. Cant stop that. I have discussed it with her and got the eyes rolling and the you're too protective speech. But my message to her was death is final, there is no future. Suicide is not something that should be glamorized or taken lightly. She has a right to life and should protect that with all her might. yes, yes we are talking about it. So what? Does that make this a great decision for the folks who made it or Netflix picking it up for another year? Uh no. Not worth it unless they get real busy about showing these kids what a real dead person looks like. Did they include the autopsy, the coolers, the funeral parlor, the preparation of the body? Nah, that would really be just too scary for these sweet children. But they should.

The good news is 13 Reasons Why has started many important conversations about teen suicide and kindness. The bad news is it completely misses the mark on the issue. There are so many issues with how suicide is portrayed in the series, my best advice is to get yourself educated before you allow your children to watch this series. Here is a useful website and an article posted by a HS teenager who struggles with depression. https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-why-talking-points/ http://chs.helenaschools.org/2017/04/18/our-response-to-13-reasons-why-o...