Generational appeal?

No, it appeals to all the needy special snowflakes that believe that the world should be stepping on eggshells over what they say infront of them because it could lead them to suicide. I'm 28, so while I'm still technically part of gen Y, I'm definitely on the older part of the spectrum. And I have friends on Facebook from every age group and I can tell you right now, everyone making a hoot over this show are the 18-24 yearold crowds. The generation responsible for such ridiculous ideas as gender pronouns, 76 genders, trigger warnings, safe spaces, cultural appropriation and other such batshit insane lunatic garbage. It's a "woe is me, people think I have a nice ass so feel sorry for me" show. Nothing but one big circle jerk of millenials crying about their first world problems. It;s ridiculous. I can't relate to anything on this show. I remember the days when I was in high school and my parents and teachers would just tell me to "get over it". And that's what I did. Guess what, I'm still breathing.

It's derivative of eighties teen dramas like those by John Hughes and Cameron Crowe so it might appeal to middle aged people who grew up watching those... it's very dark though so I'd caution anyone who doesn't like watching heavy subject matter. It's a blend of a teen romance with something more like Less Than Zero. Good show though if you can look past the central plot contrivance.

It will affect different age groups in different ways. People who were in high school 20 years ago either knew people like these characters or were these characters. Watching it hit me in a hard way because I know I had a hand in driving at least a couple to the edge, and thankfully they never went through with it. Some years after high school, I did lose someone to drugs, because she didn't believe she deserved to be with me. I didn't understand it at the time, I thought I did something wrong. Before this show, I had already realized I needed to empathize more and not be an asshole to people. Watching this brought back that whole process I went through.

Younger folks get hooked in by the high school drama of the first few episodes, by then, they are very invested in the characters. They probably have been exposed to some of the stuff they say and do, so what may initially turn off adults is precisely what brings the younger audience in. Because kids in social situations make big deals out of things adults may consider to be trivial. I suspect they all have had suicide fantasies, where they'd do it just to see what everyone else says about them after they're gone. The last few episodes I think are designed to shatter those fantasies.

@lasteven

I've hit 60 and it affected me enough to recommend it to all of my children ranging from 27-41. I think it should be shown to every child entering middle school, but my son said no, entering high school is a more realistic age.

My aunt (in her 50s) recommended it to me (Late 30s). She was of the same opinion as 'nerverstandinalone' - that it should be a 'must watch' for kids in school. I agree as well (at least for the book), even though- there would be plenty who watch this, specially in a classroom environment, laughing and poking fun at the message this show/the book is trying to portray. I remember when my class went to the cinema to see "Schindler's List" - and how some classmates laught and joked around during some horrific scenes where I cried my eyes out and thinking how awful this kinda behavior was/is...

But, to get back to the subject- I have only talked to "older" people who have seen it and most liked it. The only complaints from those who didn't was that it was too dark and they prefer lighter kind of shows but that didn't prevent them from watching every episode anyway...

I'm 50 years old and I enjoyed it. I can't say I related to the type of bullying depicted as there was no social media when I was in high school, but some of the themes such as being mindful of how you treat others are universal. Also the adult characters are much more fleshed out than in the book (from what I heard) so it's not just about the kids.

I am 31 and I thought it was a good show. When I was in high school there wasn't really much cyberbullying. We were just getting started with ICQ and MSN messenger. So, that part might have been hard to relate.

However, the concept of bullying and how high school people can be pricks struck a nerve. I was a bit of an outcast like the main character. I cannot say I have fond memories of high school. It was very lonely and in my last year I was more than ready to leave.

But what I couldn't relate to was of how disconnected the parents of all the kids were. There were some jarring signs and the parents were clueless.

With Hannah herself, I'm surprised the parents didn't notice anything. Especially considering she is an only child. I am an only child myself and if I ever came close to anything like that, my parents would pick it up instantly.

Maybe it is because my parents are boomers and these parents are Gen X. But how can you seriously not notice your child is boozing?

That part was dificult to understand.