Actress Katherine Langford in 13 Causes Why, a drama about a youngster who commits suicide. AP Photograph ABU DHABI // Dad and mom and academics have raised issues over the controversial Netflix sequence 13 Causes Why, which depicts the rape and suicide of a teenage woman. The sequence has develop into a cult hit with younger folks, at a time when the problem of teenage suicides linked to social media abuse has been making headlines throughout the globe. A spate of suicides have additionally been reportedly linked to taking part in “the Blue Whale” app, a recreation wherein individuals are assigned a grasp and coerced into finishing challenges over 50 days, together with watching horror movies and self-harming, earlier than being informed to take their very own lives. Collegiate American Faculty in Dubai despatched a letter to folks in regards to the app and one dad or mum of a kid at British Faculty Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi commented on Fb that her son’s pal had accessed the sport. After academics on the college overheard youngsters discussing the app, mother and father have been warned of the potential risks. Al Khubairat’s headmaster, Mark Leppard, stated he was involved about “copycat-style behaviour”. “It’s important parents are aware of the dangers in the online world. Children can access material that parents might not approve of, or be aware of,” he stated. Since 15 year-old Al Khubairat pupil Louis Smith took his personal life in 2013, the college has been taking a proactive stance in tackling psychological well being points. “Twice this year we brought over a UK child protection training consultant, Robin Watts, to talk to teachers and parents,” Mr Leppard stated. In America, after a spate of instances of youngsters live-streaming their suicide makes an attempt, Mark Zuckerberg introduced earlier this month that his Fb social media enterprise would rent 3,000 extra folks to assessment movies of crimes and suicides. Colleges within the UAE have additionally been responding to issues about 13 Causes Why, the place a boy receives tapes from his classmate to elucidate why she took her personal life. The present additionally explores psychological well being, peer stress, bullying, and sexism. The Canadian Worldwide Faculty in Abu Dhabi and Al Khubairat each issued warnings to folks in regards to the present, and Abu Dhabi’s American Neighborhood Faculty included an article about it in its weekly e-newsletter. Nevertheless, the daddy of Louis Smith, Ross Barfoot, who co-founded the Louis Smith Basis to assist help youngsters scuffling with psychological well being points, claimed there was a false impression that speaking about suicide inspired it. “It is good that topics such as bullying and teenage suicide are being discussed, but this has highlighted the risk of younger children being exposed to these topics without being educated about them first,” he stated. “The show is 16+, and it should be parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children watch only age-appropriate shows.” Katie Marie, an American instructor in Abu Dhabi who misplaced a sibling to suicide, stated she wouldn’t need her pupils to look at the present. “Teenagers are especially susceptible to reckless ideas that they get from media or peers. If a parent chooses to let their child watch the show, they should watch it together and have an open discussion about the show afterwards,” she stated. American Abu Dhabi resident Gina Dillon stated her 13-year-old son watched the present a month in the past, with out her permission, then she watched it, too. “I wish he’d never watched it. He’s too young,” she stated. Nevertheless, she stated, there have been professionals and cons to the present. “It points out the ramifications of teen choices. In one way I want to shelter him from this part of life and, on the other hand, I know I need to prepare him.” _____ Steerage for folks: Ask your baby if they’ve heard or seen the sequence 13 Causes Why. Whereas it’s not beneficial that they be inspired to view the sequence, in the event that they do watch it, it’s endorsed that you just watch it with them. Do not be afraid to ask a toddler if they’ve considered suicide or if somebody is hurting them. Elevating the problem of suicide doesn’t enhance the chance or plant the concept. Quite the opposite, it creates the chance to supply assist. Take heed to your kid’s feedback with out judgment. Doing so requires that you just totally focus, perceive, reply after which bear in mind what’s being stated. Put your individual agenda apart. Get assist from a school-employed or community-based psychological well being skilled in case you are involved to your kid’s security or the security of one among their friends.