Netflix is adding more trigger warnings to its controversial teen series 13 Reasons Why. According to BuzzFeed, Netflix will update the disclaimers that already exist before the show's two most graphic episodes in an effort to “strengthen the messaging and resource language." The streaming service will also have a new warning that precedes the entire series.
The show, which premiered in March, traces the aftermath of protagonist Hannah Baker's suicide. She leaves behind a series of tapes detailing the events leading up to her death and the people she deems responsible, supposedly as a lesson to be kinder to one another. But several critics have chastised the show for glamorizing suicide and failing to meaningfully address the role Hannah's own mental health played in her death.
"Many people are accusing the show of glamorizing suicide and I feel strongly — and I think everyone who made the show — feel very strongly that we did the exact opposite. What we did was portray suicide and we portrayed it as very ugly and very damaging," writer Brian Yorkey said in response to the backlash. Co-producer Selena Gomez also responded to the criticism of the series in April 2017, stating, "We wanted to do [the subject matter] justice and, yeah, [the backlash is] gonna come no matter what. It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but I’m very fortunate with how it’s doing.”
A spokesperson for Netflix told BuzzFeed the new disclaimers will be added as early as this week.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org.
