American Family Association: More Families Say Netflix’s ‘13 Reasons Why’ Is to Blame for Suicides
TUPELO, Miss.—The American Family Association (AFA, www.afa.net) is continuing its mission to warn parents about the dangers of Netflix’s damaging, teen-targeted series, “13 Reasons Why.”
Specifically, AFA has shared the tragic story of Anna Bright, the 14-year-old daughter of Joseph and Patrice Bright who committed suicide after binge-watching Season 1 of the program.
“Anna is not the only teen to have taken her life within days of viewing the show,” said AFA President Tim Wildmon in an Action Alert to AFA’s nearly 1 million friends and supporters. “The families of two 15-year-old California teens, Bella and Priscilla, also blame their loved ones’ deaths on the series. Both teens, who did not know one another, were struggling with depression, watched the show, apparently were triggered by it and committed suicide. Their families are also calling for Netflix to abandon the series.
“We pray our vocal constituents will help AFA warn as many parents as possible about ‘13 Reasons Why,’” he added. “Despite pleas from pro-family groups to cancel ‘13 Reasons Why,’ Netflix is already planning to release Season 3 in May.”
“13 Reasons Why” has become a lightning rod for critics who say it glorifies suicide and might even make it an attractive option for teenagers who are enduring difficult times in their lives. In fact, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center has an entire section of its website dedicated to “13 Reasons Why” because of a noted increase in suicides and attempted suicides among teens.
AFA is encouraging those concerned to copy and paste an email message to their friends and family members, especially those with teens at home:
“I wanted to let you know about a petition that I signed to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. Through the American Family Association (AFA), I learned of a show called ‘13 Reasons Why’ that is airing on Netflix right now.
“‘13 Reasons Why’ is extremely dangerous and has become a lightning rod for critics who say it glorifies suicide and may even make it an attractive option for teenagers who are enduring difficult times in their lives.
“I’m warning my family and friends about ‘13 Reasons Why’ and am asking you to learn more at www.afa.net/netflix. I hope you will take time to read about 14-year-old Anna Bright, who is just one of many who committed suicide after binge-watching ‘13 Reasons Why.’
“Then, join me in signing the petition to Netflix, urging them to pull ‘13 Reasons Why’ before another teen decides to end their life through suicide.”
Thus far, more than 144,000 have signed the petition.
Season 1 of “13 Reasons Why” focused on the graphic suicide of Hannah Baker, who slits her wrists in a bathtub full of water. Her decision to end her life is explained through a collection of cassette tapes that she leaves behind blaming the people responsible for her death. Season 2 picks up months after Hannah’s suicide, and sadly, the filth and gratuitous content is only exacerbated with story lines that include sodomy, homosexuality, drug use, extreme profanity and a plot for mass school violence.
Just last week, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) released its 2019 “Dirty Dozen List,” which details “mainstream” companies and entities that are considered to be “facilitators of sexual exploitation in our society and culture,” The Christian Post reported.
Netflix made the list for the first time—NCOSE has produced the list every year since 2013—and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said “Netflix is being criticized for normalizing ‘sexual exploitation and objectification,’” taking particular issue with “13 Reasons Why.”
“A Netflix subscription also includes sexually graphic and degrading content,” said NCOSE Executive Director Dawn Hawkins during a press conference. According to Hawkins, Netflix produces media portraying gratuitous nudity, graphic sex acts and even graphic depictions of sexual assault.
With over 300 original productions, Hawkins added that Netflix puts most of its advertising dollars for original shows toward content that is rated TV-MA for mature audiences.
“These products frequently contain graphic sex scenes, nudity and violence,” she said. “Our team of researchers looked into … 10 of the top original Netflix titles which they promote. We found that nine out of 10 of their features depicted online sex scenes and 80 percent of those titles displayed explicit nudity in their pilot program. Part of the problem is that the material with the sexually graphic and violent scenes is often placed right next to child-themed content as well.”
NCOSE also pointed to the fact that multiple episodes of “13 Reasons Why” depict graphic sexual assault and show nudity of actresses who are supposed to be teenagers.
According to The Christian Post, the 2019 “Dirty Dozen List” includes the entire state of Nevada, a leading massage parlor chain and an airline, as well as several tech and media companies.
Read Wildmon’s letter to Hastings here and sign the petition to Netflix here. Visit the AFA’s newest Action Alert on “13 Reasons Why,” and read the article about Anna Bright’s family in AFA Journal.
View the media page for AFA here. For more information on American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or on Twitter @AmericanFamAssc.
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To interview a representative from the American Family Association, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
