‘13 Reasons’ brings attention to teen angst
Netflix series and book very popular
13 Reasons Why is available on Netflix. There are 13 episodes, rep- resenting each of the tapes. The series was also produced by artist/ actress Selena Gomez. Screenshot from Netflix page.
May 5, 2017
“13 Reasons Why” is a popular but controversial Netflix series about a teenage girl named Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) who died by suicide after making a series of tapes detailing how she felt her classmates had mistreated her.
Variety magazine reported that “13 Reasons Why” is the most tweeted about show in 2017 so far.
On their website, the American School Counselor Associa- tion wrote, “The teenage years are typically marked by turbulent emotions and stress. The Netflix series ‘13 Reasons Why’ has highlighted the impact and consequences when friends, parents, teachers and school counselors aren’t aware of or don’t know how to intervene when a student needs help.”
Junior Shayla Lyman said she found out about the show be- cause everyone tweeted numerous comments on it.
Senior Lillyann Fredrick said she saw that it was a new release on Netflix so she decided to watch it with a bunch of her cousins.
“I’d say it was the best Netflix movie so far,” Fredrick said. The series is based on the book by Jay Asher, which was pub- lished in 2007. Fredrick said she found out about the book after
researching on Google to better understand the Netflix series.
She’s considering buying the book.
She is not the only person interested in reading the book now.
All copies in the MHS library and state library are checked out. Fredrick said she thinks the story is popular because teens can relate to it.
“It gets you aware of how you respond to people,” Fredrick said.
Early Childhood/Health and Nutrition teacher Heather Itokazu watched the Netflix series and has heard about it from her students. She said it was good as far as the insight of the lives of high school students and the things that might happen, like bullying or depression.
Negative comments were made regarding the plot in the show.
Itokazu said the show has some problems, though. She said it makes it seem like suicide is the only option and did not give enough other options for struggling teens.
Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi released a letter in early May stating the concern the Hawaii Department of Education had with the series and its graphic content. They recommended that students watch the series with an adult.
