13 Reasons Why comes to Netflix

The anticipated series 13 Reasons Why came to Netflix on March 31st. In this day and age, Netflix is a top tv channel and it was smart marketing to put the show on there. Not only for entertainment sake, but news outlets also say, for teen suicide awareness.

The best-selling novel 13 Reasons Why was originally published in 2007. The book is told by Clay Jensen who is dealing with the recent suicide of Hannah Baker. He is left confused until a set of 13 tapes gets to him all with Hannah revealing the reasons why she killed herself.

ABC news gave insight about why the show 13 Reasons Why could be even more impactful on the issue of teen suicide than the original book. ABC and psychologist Frank Russell said the reason for this "could be due to the use of social media that wasn't around when the book was originally published."

ABC news also reported on the fact that Russell said the show could potentially be "a good tool to hopefully get teens together in a 'structured environment' to talk about bullying and its consequences."

Vanity Fair believes that 13 Reasons Why will be impactful to teens because it "may also remind viewers of a number of other familiar teen properties." They state how the show has references to She's All That, Empire Records, Sixteen Candles, etc. "The show is brimming with familiar teen prototypes- rich, privileged jocks and stressed-out over achievers and teen movie benchmarks such as the school dance or drunken house party."

While the novel already being such a great voice for the issue of teen suicide, Netflix's show will be able to deliver the message to an even bigger audience. The show appeals to readers and non-readers alike and is already a hit after being out for only 4 days.

ABC Link

Vanity Fair Link

photo: originally from comingsoon.net