OPINION: Students and parents’ worries over TV aren’t necessary

By Danielle Tabatneck, Opinion Editor
June 9, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Netflix (CC BY-ND 2.0) An email regarding the new TV series on Netflix called “13 Reasons Why” has been sent out on April 27 to parents of the school district with the intended goal to increase parental awareness over what their children view on TV and to be in tune with the interpretations sensitive teens may get from the series “13 Reasons Why.”

The show tells the story of a high school girl who commits suicide and sends out 13 tapes explaining her reasonings behind why she took her life. The tapes are then sent to the 13 people who she attributes to her death. Some adults are concerned that if insecure teens watch this show, they will interpret the main character’s actions incorrectly and take it to heart.

This “warning,” passed along from NJ’s Youth Suicide Advisory Council, simply gives the impression that parents should look to stop their children from watching shows relating to any dark or gloomy topics. It is understandable why parents think it is best to keep their children from viewing shows regarding topics like suicide, but it is good for people to be exposed to information that they typically do not want to learn about.

Adults are under the impression that if TV shows or certain topics appeal to teens’ emotions, that they will always take it negatively. However, learning about how the world works and about uncomfortable topics is simply a major factor of growing up and becoming mature.

Being teenagers, we are beginning to be exposed to certain aspects of life that are new and different. Even though adults may think differently, this is a good change that helps teens grow as people and gain their individuality when it comes to the way they think and the knowledge they are informed about.

We are meant to experience the world to see and learn beyond what is taught in a classroom on our own terms. Learning more and being exposed to more, even from a TV show, contributes to teens’ understanding about the world overall.

Parents should be involved in their child’s life, but not to the point where their children are being protected from harsh realities. Censoring what students say, do and watch will contain everyone’s opportunities to learn about what they want.

Being kept in a sheltered bubble of what adults want teenagers to learn will not lead to any growth as a unique individual. Teens need to learn and be aware of every aspect of life—the good and the bad—in order to fully understand the real world without a filter.