A new study found that an increase in suicide rates among US boys aged 10 to 17 in April 2017 correlated with the publication of "13 Reasons Why" by Netflix in 2017. The broadcast depicts the suicide of a teenager after recovering from a box of tapes she left behind detailing the 13 reasons why she decided to kill herself.
The study was published Monday in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and funded by the National Institute of Health. He found that 195 more suicides than expected had occurred within the nine months following the release of March 31, 2017. And in the month of April 2017, there were more suicides than in April of nine years ago. Although the show focuses on the suicide of a teenager, teenage boys represent the only demographic group with a significant increase in the suicide rate. Suicides among teenage boys increased by 28.9% in the month following release.
The representation of adolescent suicide has been controversial since its release.
The National Association of School Psychologists has issued a warning: "We do not recommend to vulnerable youth, especially those who have suicidal thoughts, to watch this series. His powerful narrative can lead impressionable viewers to romanticize character choices and / or fantasies of revenge. They can easily identify with the described experiences and recognize the intentional and unintentional effects on the central character. "
The study does not claim that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between watching the series and committing suicide. However, it controls seasonal and other factors that could influence suicide rates. The study concludes that the series is associated with an increase in the number of teen suicides and warns children and teens against viewing the series.
Netflix said Tuesday in a statement: "This is an issue of crucial importance and we have worked hard to ensure we handle this sensitive issue responsibly."
"The results of this study should raise awareness that young people are particularly vulnerable to the media," said study co-author Lisa Horowitz, a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health. in a statement. "All disciplines, including the media, must be careful to be constructive and thoughtful about issues related to public health crises."
Two seasons of "13 reasons why" are currently available for streaming. Season 3 is expected to arrive at Netflix later this year.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actress Selena Gomez arrives at the premiere of "13 Reasons Why" of Netflix at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actors Selena Gomez and Katherine Langford arrive at the premiere of "13 Reasons Why" of Netflix at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actress Katherine Langford arrives at the premiere of the "13 Reasons Why Netflix" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Billie Eilish arrives at the premiere of Paramount Pictures' movie "The 13 Reasons for Netflix" on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz / WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Singer Courtney Love arrives at the premiere of Netflix's Net Reason Why at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Executive Producer Mandy Teefey attends the premiere of Netflix's "13 Reasons for Netflix" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actor Tommy Dorfman (D) attends the premiere of Paramount Pictures' movie "The 13 Reasons for Netflix" on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actress Keiko Agena attends the premiere of "The 13 Reasons for Netflix" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actresses Alisha Boe (left) and Ajiona Alexus attend the premiere of "The 13 reasons for Netflix" presented at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actress Greer Grammer arrives at the premiere of Netflix's "Net Reason Why" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Singer Courtney Love (left) and actor Ross Butler attend the premiere of Netflix's "13 Reasons" movie at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Actor Brandon Flynn attends the premiere of "13 Reasons for Netflix" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Executive Producer Joy Gorman Wettels attends the premiere of Paramount Pictures' "The 13 reasons for Netflix" on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Brian Yorkey arrives at the premiere of "13 Reasons for Netflix" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz / WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Kristel Laiblin arrives at the premiere of "13 Netflix Reasons" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz / WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Amy Hargreaves arrives at the premiere of Netflix's "13 Reasons For" at Paramount Pictures on March 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz / WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Singer / Actress Selena Gomez (C) and the cast and crew of "13 Reasons Why" attend Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" premiere at Paramount Pictures on March 30 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky / WireImage for Fashion Media)
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