As kids, the majority of what we learn occurs through observation. In the digital age that we live in today, a large amount of that observation occurs through TV shows and movies. Kids watch these characters stories develop on screen, form connections with them and in some cases even idolize them.

While television shows are not the only way in which kids can be influenced they have a large impact on their upbringing and should, therefore, have a positive influence on them rather than a negative one. By positive I do not mean completely censored and rid of violence or any controversial issue I am referring to the way these issues are displayed.

One of Netflix's original shows, "13 Reasons Why" has recently become the new craze but discusses a sensitive topic in an extremely inappropriate manner.

"13 Reasons Why" is a TV series where a young girl named Hannah takes her own life. Before taking her life she creates a series of recordings explaining the "13 Reason's Why" she chose to end her life. The content of this film is not what bothers me, in fact, I believe that suicide is an issue which should be discussed rather than swept under the rug, but the way in which this TV show is used to bring attention to this issue is inappropriate.

A TV series on Netflix is not an effective way to talk about an issue as serious as suicide, it allows the viewer to perceive suicide in a dramatized and glorified manner. Suicide is a serious issue but it is not something that should be added to the glorified persona of the struggling teenager filled with angst.

This not only dramatizes suicide it normalizes it exposing kids and adults to the horrifying graphics of cutting and self-harm. These are issues of extreme importance but there are more appropriate ways of shedding light upon them.

The different ways we chose to upload content onto the internet and to the public is a message within itself. For instance, writing an article in The New York Times is a lot more formal than creating a blog post on Facebook.

The same goes for TV shows, a Netflix TV series is targeted towards those who want to relax and escape from their reality by immersing themselves in the drama of these characters lives whereas, a Netflix documentary is used to inform that viewer on a particular piece of information.

The story of someone's struggles with suicide and self-harm is not some drama that should be used as a form of escape or entertainment. This is not the right way to view suicide, it is almost as if this show is invalidating the seriousness of this illness by displaying it in a theatrical way. Suicide is something that should be talked about but it should be discussed in the right context.

The goal of those conversations should be to inform people and allow those who are struggling to not feel like they are alone, they should not be glorifying or normalizing this illness that affects such a large percentage of the population.