13 Reasons Why revolves around high school sophomores—kids too young to vote or drink or even drive. Asher's original book is targeted at a high school audience. Presumably the Netflix show is, too.

But, ironically, the series comes freighted with a TV-MA rating—a warning that the content therein (according to the TV Parental Guidelines) "may be unsuitable for children under 17."

13 Reasons Why earns that prohibitive rating in at least half a dozen ways. F-words and s-words fly regularly, joined by scads of other profanities. High schoolers drink and get drunk. Sex—real or not, willing or not—is very much at issue here. And rumors about Hannah's habits and sexual predilections take center stage in her spiraling depression. As far as the student rumor mill is concerned, it's not about whether Hannah will or won't, but with whom and how often.

And the content grows more graphic as the show goes on. We see sexual assaults and raw violence on screen. Characters engage in (or are rumored to engage in) same-sex relationships. And eventually, we see Hannah Baker—in graphic detail—commit suicide.

Asher and Gomez would say that what we see on 13 Reasons Why reflects high school reality. And honestly, they're probably right. What I saw and heard during my own high school days would've earned a TV-MA rating, too, and I hardly think that things have gotten much better in last few decades. But that doesn't necessarily justify exposing yourself or your teens to this content willingly.

Is it a well-intended show? Yes, I think it's fair to say that it is, as far as that sentiment goes. 13 Reasons Why encourages viewers to really examine their own lives and how they treat people.

That said, shows like this can also have unintended consequences.

Those familiar with the issue of suicide know that the act itself can be strangely and sadly contagious. If someone commits suicide in a given school, the odds go up that someone else will attempt it, too. Why? There are lots of potential factors, psychologists say. But in the emotionally charged world of adolescence, suicide can feel romantic. It can be a shout for attention. It can be revenge.

13 Reasons Why may, unintentionally, romanticize suicide for some students, even though that's certainly not the show's intent. The tricky thing about stories like this one is that, for some, it might be just the right message at the right time. But for someone else, the intended message could also be received in a tragically different way