US teens commit suicide after "13 reasons for Netflix", study finds

The number of suicides among young Americans has risen by nearly a third in the month following the launch in 2017 of the popular television series "13 Reasons Why "of Netflix, in which a teenage girl kills study showed on Monday.

The researchers stated that the study had limitations and that they could not establish a direct causal link between "13 reasons" and the increase in the suicide rate, nor rule out Other factors. Another previous study had shown that viewing this program was badociated with a reduction in the risk of self-harm in some young adults.

In April 2017, the suicide rate was 28.9% higher than expected by young Americans. on studying the number of suicides and trends observed in previous years, revealed Monday a study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The study found that suicide rates for 10-17 year olds were also higher in the rest of the world. each year, resulting in 195 additional suicide deaths from April to December 2017 compared to expectations based on previous data. The increase was mainly motivated by young boys, they said.

A spokesperson for Netflix said the company had just read the study and was reviewing it.

"This is an extremely important topic and we have worked Netflix spokesman said the research was at odds with a recent discovery by a team from the University of Pennsylvania.

In A survey of 18- to 29-year-olds, Pennsylvania researchers found that students who watched all season 2 of "13 reasons" are less likely to report self-destructive and suicidal thoughts than those who do not. have not watched the series at all.

The show tells the story of a teenager who leaves behind a series of 13 tapes describing why she decided to commit suicide. the first season showed that she was cutting her wrists in a tub.

The graphic scene provoked a violent reaction from parents and health professionals, prompting Netflix in 2017 to issue additional warnings for viewers and direct them directly to support groups.

The second season was launched in May 2018 and a third season was commissioned by Netflix.

Executive Director Reed Hastings defended the renewal of the third season at a shareholders' meeting in June 2018.

"13 reasons were extremely popular." Hastings said:

NIH-supported researchers said their findings "should remind us to keep in mind the possible unintended impacts of representation," said Hastings, of suicide, and as a call to the industry's entertainment and the media to use best practices when they approach this topic. "

The study was conducted in several universities, hospitals and national institutes. Department of Mental Health (NIMH), which is part of the US National Institutes of Health. The study was also funded by NIMH.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been altered by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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