Oh Great, The Edgy ’13 Reasons Why’ Tape Meme Is Still Kicking About

By

Published

April 24, 2017

13 Reasons Why has become a pop-culture event of a singular ferocity: not only is the Netflix original doing unreal numbers for the streaming service, the teen drama has also become the most tweeted-about show of 2017.

An even more solid measure of a show’s following: memes. And, amid the maelstrom of 13 Reasons Why content, a questionable Twitter template has emerged.

For the uninitiated, the show focuses on the story high schooler Hannah Baker, who takes her own life and leaves thirteen tape-recorded messages for individuals she believes partially responsible. It’s a heavy set-up, which provided the backbone to a questionable-at-best gag.

Me: Can I get some guac too?

Chipotle Employee: Guacamole is extra.

Me: Welcome to your tape.

— ?? (@cib110) April 16, 2017

Me: *posts a pic*
Friend: *likes it but doesn’t rt it*
Me: welcome to your tape

— federicO (@OFederico_) April 14, 2017

13 reasons why
Hannah: Can I borrow a pencil?
Kid: Sorry, this is my only one
Hannah: Welcome to your tape

— 13 Reasons Why (@lts13Reasons) April 14, 2017

People on twitter: don’t make jokes about 13 reasons why, it’s a serious show

Me: welcome to your tape

— Kelvin Klein (@kelvinselegean) April 17, 2017

You get the gist. Even Netflix itself used the format to take a swing at rival Hulu:

Welcome to your tape https://t.co/juAMcd0jjU

— Netflix US (@netflix) April 18, 2017

The thing is, even after peak mental health advocacy bodies warned viewers that the show itself may have a very real, very negative impact on viewers dealing with their own mental health issues, the meme is going strong.

When I don’t get a text back in a reasonable amount of time. Welcome to your tape.

— Paris Amaya (@Micaela_Marissa) April 24, 2017

*reading stuff I posed on Facebook in middle school*
Me to me: “welcome to your tape”

— Willyummy (@brewster_will) April 24, 2017

My mom just said “Welcome to your tape” and I don’t know if I should laugh or be concerned.

— cass (@cassidyvitt) April 24, 2017

It’s definitely easy to see how the meme could be brushed off, and it’s most obviously a joke, but it’s a joke that minimises the concept of suicide. That idea isn’t helped by the fact the source novel’s author says the book was informed by his own suicide attempt.

We’d usually expect the joke to die out any time soon. Still, judging by that earlier Twitter statistic, this one may be around for a while.

Source: Twitter.
Photo: Netflix / YouTube.

To speak to someone about mental health, call BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636. If you are in distress, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.