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Parents Television Council wants Netflix to make improvements before releasing second season of '13
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13 REASONS WHY - photo by Herb Scribner
The Parents Television Council said Netflix needs to do more to protect children from 13 Reasons Why.

The conservative media watchdog group said in a statement on Wednesday that it applauded the shows attempt to protect viewers ahead of its second season, including airing a warning video before the season's premiere.

But the PTC said it wants Netflix to do even more.

In a lengthy statement, PTC President Tim Winter said Netflix should hold on sharing the new season of the show slated to be released sometime this year until experts give it the OK.

When a film or TV series centers entirely on high school-aged children for its storytelling, it is high school and junior high school children who watch and who feel most emotionally connected to the characters," Winter said. "Grown-ups don't put themselves into the position of high schoolers; but other children do."

The PTC also wants Netflix to implement a payment structure akin to SiriusXM Satellite Radio, which allows subscribers to opt out of adult or explicit programming in exchange for a reduction in the subscription price, Winter said.

Winter added he hopes Netflix will work with movie filtering companies such as VidAngel, which allow consumers the ability to filter explicit content from the entertainment they stream inside their homes.

The PTC wants Netflix to be a "positive resource" for its users and to help identify protective measures for children and families.

Parents may believe that Netflix is safer for their families than other forms of entertainment, but the reality is that it is not. Parents need to be aware of 13 Reasons Why, and this insidious digital media culture that is engulfing our children and teens, Winter said.

Netflix announced in late March that it will add a warning video before the second seasons premiere that warns viewers about the dangers of suicide, according to the Deseret News. In the video, cast members from the show talk about how its a real-world issue.

If you are struggling with these issues yourself, this series may not be right for you, or you may want to watch it with a trusted adult, says Alisha Boe, who plays Jessica Davis on the show, in the video.

The first season received a heavy amount of criticism over its depiction of suicide, according to BuzzFeed News. In fact, Brian Wright, Netflixs vice president of original series, told BuzzFeed News that he didnt anticipate having criticism on such a large scale.

We didnt know in season one that the conversation was going to be this big, Wright said. What were doing now with the lead-up to launch is working with organizations all over the globe, mental health organizations, and school counselor organizations to make sure that people are armed with information and ready for these conversations.

Utah suicide expert Greg Hudnall said parents shouldnt let their children watch the show.

I'm all about educating people on prevention, he told the Deseret News in a phone interview. I'm all about suicide prevention. What I'm not about is sensationalizing suicide.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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