The controversial show got renewed for a second season almost immediately after the show first aired on Netflix, however, there have been quite a few setbacks.
The Parents Television Council (PTC), a conservative group, have called for the show to be delayed until "experts in the scientific community have determined it to be safe for consumption by an audience that is comprised heavily of minor children."
The first season of the show faced major backlash from people saying it was far too graphic, and glorified themes of suicide and mental illness. Now, the show has pre-rolling warning videos that play before each episode.
The video directs viewers to 13reasonswhy.info, which offers resources and a crisis hotline.
The changes came after a global research study the show went out to learn more about how the show has affected teenagers and parents as The Hollywood Reporter cites.
The Parents Television Council commended Netflix for adding the warning video, but also think that it only proves changes need to happen before the show is aired.
“The impact of season one of 13 Reasons Why, which culminated with a graphic suicide scene of a high school-aged character, was powerful and intense: millions of children watched; the Google search term for how to commit suicide spiked 26 percent; and there were news reports of children literally taking their own lives after the series was released,” said PTC president Tim Winter. “We may never know the full extent of how grave the influence was, but we do know it was enough for Netflix to commission a research report on how the show has impacted the lives of its viewers — especially young viewers — in positive ways.”
If you, or anyone you know are suffering from mental illness, contact Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636, or visit their site.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can speak confidentially to a trained counsellor 24 hours a day at headspace.org.au or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.
