13 Reasons Why has been a very heavy show since season one. The story is about a teenager who commits suicide in high school, and in seasons since then, more teenagers are killed and more topics inappropriate for children are discussed. If your teenage child is considering watching the final season of 13 Reasons Why on Netflix, there are certain things you need to know about what will appear on screen. We’ve compiled a guide so you can decide if your child should watch the show, but just know that the show is graphic and hard to deal with. The show has added a disclaimer to each episode with a warning for what will happen as well, and Netflix also added resources for people dealing with suicide, sexual assault, and other issues. For a rundown of the big topics discussed in season four, keep reading.
Related: Season 3 of 13 Reasons Why Was Beyond Confusing, So Let's Recap How It All Ended
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Police Brutality
Liberty High ups its security, which means there are police officers on campus. At a few different points, the police offers get rough with students, leading to fights and brute force from the officers.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Foul Language
These teens use a lot of foul language, including the “F” word and all its iterations. They also use sexually explicit language frequently.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Underage Drinking
Zach Dempsey especially engages in a lot of underage drinking, including at a fraternity house during a college visit.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
School Shooting Drill
One of the most disturbing episodes of the season is a school shooting drill at the high school that everyone believes is real. The students are locked in their classrooms and led to believe they might die. It’s a very heavy episode that results in a few of the students having breakdowns in fear.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Drug Use
In addition to underage drinking, Zach also talks about and uses drugs. There are also scenes of smoking weed and other discussions about painkillers and heavy drug use, especially by Justin Foley, who has a history of IV drug use.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Talk of Rape
Because this show has a history of rape, that topic comes up again in the fourth season. Bryce Walker raping Jessica Davis in the first episode is brought up again. Also, Clay Jensen has a moment where he thinks one of the frat guys at a party is going to rape a girl who is unconscious.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sex
There’s not a lot of sex happening in season four of 13 Reasons Why, but it does happen briefly and consensually.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Racism
Part of the police brutality is related to racism, as the cops single out the students of color to go after. When Diego and Justin get into a fight in the hallway, the police officer only punishes Diego, and he punishes him harshly. Tony Padilla is also singled out more than once by the officers in the hallways.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Fighting
There’s violence throughout the season with a few students getting into fights. Tony is also a boxer, and his fights in the ring get very bloody each time.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Guns
The officers in the school have guns that are drawn at one point. Also, Tyler Down’s friends think he’s buying guns, and when the police come to bust up the sale, the man selling the guns pulls one on Tyler.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Psychological Thriller Effects
Clay struggles with his mental wellness for several episodes, which means he experiences bouts of dissociation and acting out. He sets a car on fire, he vandalizes the school, and he steals a gun and threatens the cops and students at the school. Some of these scenes are shot with the screen flashing and heavy music playing to incite fear.
