Netflix has asked the Chief Censor to give season two of the controversial programme 13 Reasons Why a rating, after a new classification was created for the first series.
Katherine Langford in 13 Reasons Why Photo: Netflix
The show's first season was heavily criticised for depicting graphic rape and suicide scenes, while having no ratings classification.
After it was released, the Office of Film and Literature Classification created an 'RP18' rating, which meant teenagers had to watch it with a parent or guardian.
Chief Censor David Shanks told Nine to Noon that Netflix had now submitted a request for the second season to be rated before it was released.
'It dealt with some really serious issues' - Chief Censor David Shanks
Mr Shanks said no one had anticipated how popular the show would become.
"Series one came out of nowhere in terms of how popular it was going to be, it's subject matter. I think it even took Netflix by surprise in terms of what a big global hit it was," he said.
Dylan Minnette in a scene from '13 Reasons Why'. Photo: Netflix
The show was marketed for young adults, and contained themes of sexual violence, bullying, cyberbullying and suicide.
Its contents provoked an outcry from mental health groups, who said the show had the potential to seriously influence young people dealing with similar issues.
Soon afterwards, the 'RP18,' classification was created.
But Mr Shanks said the fact that it was an online show meant it would be easily accessible to teenagers.
"The reality of streamed content, internet content, is it's not really practical in any way to go: 'this is something that you're not going to watch'. And in particular, telling teenagers that you're not going to watch this show that is explictly aimed at you and designed to attract your attention, is a hiding to nowhere."
Mr Shanks said parents needed to watch the show and talk openly about it with teenagers.
"I've had parents say to me: 'look, my 10-year-old saw that show, should I be worried'?
"My answer to them is: 'you've gotta watch the show'."
Mr Shanks' office has released a guide for parents with teenagers, to help with discussions about 13 Reasons Why.
Netflix has announced it will also play a warning video ahead of each episode.
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