An Open Letter to Reid Hastings, CEO of Netflix, about "Thirteen Reasons Why"

Mr. Reid Hastings

CEO Netflix

100 Winchester Circle

Los Gatos, CA 95032

May 8, 2017

Dear Mr. Hastings:

I am sure that you have heard from many people requesting that you remove the recently aired Netflix program, “Thirteen Reasons Why” from your roster of programs. I would like to add my name to those making this request.

Unfortunately, even as I write this to you, I know that my appeal to you may be futile and may be ignored, as I just learned this morning that not only will Netflix not remove this program, but that a second season is now planned as well. To hear this is very painful for me personally, and for many other parents of children/adolescents with mental illness. There are so many of us out there, and many of us are Netflix customers.

Recently, I watched the program to see what the whole brouhaha was about, and as the mother of a child who took his own life, I can promise you that you have sent a very dangerous message out into the world. Your "Hannah" is a hero; she records her tapes and 'sacrifices' her life, with the result that the other characters evolve or get their just desserts. For example, as a result of listening to the tapes “Jessica” finally deals with her rape, “Bryce” finally is outed as a rapist, “Sherry” faces up to her responsibility in a crime, etc. - all because of Hannah’s suicide and how she approached it. This program has been, and will be watched by kids who are struggling with mental illness; they will find glory and nobility in suicide. Even without the overlay of mental illness, this is a dangerous message to send to adolescents; but in particular, for those who suffer from a mental illness, whether it is known to them and their parents, or unknown, it can trigger suicide, by feeding into a desire to make sure their lives “count for something” – something that they doubt to the depth of their being.  It will make them believe that taking their own lives is a reasonable option when they are in emotional pain. I do not exaggerate by saying that this prospect is horrifying. I do not exaggerate by saying that this program will cause deaths.

May I also add that hiding behind the excuse that the program will begin a conversation about important issues like bullying, adolescent date rape, the need for parental supervision, drinking and drug abuse, etc., is at best perverse and misguided when put in the context of the fact that it glorifies the taking of one’s own life. Perhaps, it is the case that the program is starting a discourse, but, the program itself has been seen, and can be seen by vulnerable people who will no doubt be affected by it. I repeat for emphasis, and I have no doubt, as terrifying as it is, that, unfortunately “Thirteen Reasons Why” will cause some young people to take their own lives. That's the problem; can you understand that? Is there no better way to start a discourse and bring important issues to the fore, without encouraging or seemingly justifying suicide or presenting it as a viable option for those in emotional pain?  

The results of a risk-benefit analysis are obvious……is even a lot of discourse worth the single death of a suffering child, who gets this horrible message?

I understand that Netflix is a for-profit corporation and you have an obligation to your investors. Of course, the company has the right to act in a manner that produces a profit. I am certain that the ratings of this engaging program are rewarding and that it is so difficult to forego this. But, those parents who “get it”, and I, appeal to you to do the right thing, and to not endanger any more of our children with this irresponsible action.

Do you think that among your shareholders or employees that none has a child who is suffering from a mental illness, or even if not, that none has an impressionable adolescent that is experiencing typical adolescent angst who could be affected by this dangerous program? I would bet that there are many.

Even if you are unmoved by the potential adverse impact of your program, aren’t you, as a prudent executive concerned that Netflix could be sued over this? Is it possible that the parents of a child who takes his/her own life, and copies “Hannah’s” tape idea, could sue you? Or, would you view this as simply more PR? (Of course, no PR is bad PR, right?) 

This is a tradeoff, a test of integrity, if you will, for Netflix. Are the ratings worth the death of a child and the devastation of a family?  What will be Netflix’s answer to this question?

I am under no illusion that this letter will change your mind, but I write it because I hope that maybe it will.

Thank you,

  

Ruth Tepler Roth