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Pierce: Don’t let your kids watch ’13 Reasons Why’ without doing this

This image released by Netflix shows Katherine Langford in a scene from the series "13 Reasons Why," about a teenager who commits suicide. The stomach-turning suicide scene has triggered criticism from some mental health advocates that it romanticizes suicide and even promoted many schools across the country to send warning letters to parents and guardians. The show’s creators are unapologetic, saying their frank depiction of teen life needs to be “unflinching and raw.” (Beth Dubber/Netflix via AP)

  | June 22, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
| Updated: June 23, 2018, 3:52 a.m.

If you’re a parent and you’ve got a Netflix subscription, I would advise extreme caution about letting your kids watch “13 Reasons Why.”

Unlike some advocacy groups, I’m not in favor of banning the show. Or of forcing Netflix to remove it from the lineup.

Call me crazy, but I think people should make decisions for themselves. If you pay for a Netflix subscription, what right does anyone — let alone an advocacy group with a history of questionable ethics — have to censor what you can watch? These are not public airwaves.

I’m loath to name the group and give it publicity, but … the Parents Television Council frequently misrepresents TV content, floods the Federal Communications Commission with bogus complaints and falsely claimed World Wrestling Entertainment was responsible for the deaths of four children (and was forced to pay $3.5 million when the WWE sued).

Earlier this week, the PTC directly blamed Netflix for several deaths by suicide.

To be clear, this is not a defense of the show. The series centers on a 17-year-old who killed herself and left tapes explaining why — blaming enemies and friends. There are depictions of rape, sexual assault and drug abuse. If you’re looking to be entertained, look somewhere else.

The series has severe critics and ardent defenders. Does depicting suicide lead young, troubled, impressionable viewers to mimic the behavior? Or does it bring the issue to the forefront and help prevent suicides?

There is no lack of experts arguing both sides.

(Associated Press | Beth Dubber, Netflix)This image released by Netflix shows, from left, Christian Navarro, Dylan Minnette and Brandon Flynn in "13 Reasons Why." The first season of “13 Reasons Why” drew criticism for its graphic depiction of a teenager’s suicide. The second season will focus on the aftermath of the girl’s death, and reportedly includes a storyline about a thwarted school shooting.

Should your kids watch “13 Reasons Why”? That’s a decision you have to make.

Netflix rates the show TV-MA — not for anyone under 17 — but there is no hard-and-fast rule, because not all 7-year-olds or all 17-year-olds are the same. You know your kids. You decide.

You should watch the show yourself first. And if you decide to let your kids see it, you should watch it with them. You should discuss what happens. It can be an opening to let them know you’re there for them. It can, as some have argued, open a line of communication. It can even be a lifeline.

(Associated Press | Beth Dubber, Netflix) This file image released by Netflix shows Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker in a scene from the series "13 Reasons Why."

Yes, that requires time and effort. But nobody ever said parenting would be easy. Monitoring and regulating what your kids watch is part of the job.

Parents shouldn’t delegate that responsibility to Netflix or any other TV outlet. And, no matter how much noise they make, advocacy groups should never be allowed to ban anything.

If they want to advise parents about TV shows, that’s fine. You don’t have to listen to them.

Or to me, for that matter.

Not that Netflix is caving to outside pressure. It has just ordered a third season of “13 Reasons Why,” which will stream in 2019.