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Audit checks up on Netflix classifications

A new self-regulation tool for Netflix classifications is going under the microscope.

The government is conducting audits of the Netflix age classifications, almost six months after it introduced a pilot program that allowed the streaming giant to rate programs itself.

The Turnbull government partnered with Netflix to create the self-regulation tool to allow for faster classification of titles for Australian viewers.

But the Classification Board is reviewing a number of the results to make sure it correctly classifies content based on Australian standards.

A spokeswoman for Federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said 13 Reasons Why, a teen show rated MA15+ that was controversial for its suicide themes, would be one of the programs audited.

“As part of this work the department will give consideration to the National Classification Code and Guidelines to ensure they continue to reflect Australian community standards and expectations,” she told the Daily Telegraph.

“The online environment presents difficult classification challenges because of the volume of content readily available.”

Opponents including psychologists and online safety experts say there is nothing stopping children from accessing R-rated content on Netflix at any time of the day.

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One Response

  1. Children do have their own separate section on Netflix so parents should maintain adequate control over their viewing content. As streaming sites like Netflix are commercial and need to be paid for so the debate about censorship should not necessarily follow the guidelines imposed on FTA TV, if Netflix has adult content then an R18+ section solves the problem, access can only be provided with a security code. Shows like 13 Reasons Why need information posted with viewer discretion advised. One thing that Netflix can improve on is the programming information it is a bit free for all at the moment and hard to work out without much research.

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