Staged school fights filmed and shared online demand more than punishment, behavioural scientist Professor Dwayne Devonish has warned.
He has urged schools to pair the Ministry of Education Transformation’s zero-tolerance policy with early intervention, confidential reporting and psychological support.
Responding to a statement from the ministry condemning the videos and warning participating students of the consequences, the University of the West Indies researcher suggested the growing trend of viral school fights was a complex form of youth aggression that discipline alone cannot fix.
He cautioned that while strict enforcement is vital, schools must balance zero-tolerance policies with prevention and psychological support.
The ministry issued a stern directive reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy after finding evidence that student altercations were being staged, filmed and posted online. Officials condemned the trend and warned that anyone involved, including organisers, videographers and uploaders, will face severe disciplinary action.
Addressing the psychology behind the behaviour, Professor Devonish explained that digital media changes the fundamental nature of conflict.
“When we see videos of school children fighting being circulated on social media, we are no longer dealing simply with traditional school fights,” Professor Devonish said. “We have the physical aggression itself, but we now also have the audience, the recording, the sharing, the comments, and sometimes the social recognition that comes afterwards. Psychologically, this changes the dynamics considerably,” he told Barbados TODAY.
He said adolescent development, particularly developing impulse control, can interact dangerously with social-media feedback loops.
“Social media operates heavily through attention. These views and likes and shares and comments for a young person posting dramatic content can generate an immediate response from peers, and the behaviour that receives attention can sometimes be repeated. An insult, embarrassment, or perceived act of disrespect can generate a very immediate emotional response, which is then amplified through social reinforcement.”
While supporting the ministry’s firm position, the UWI scholar said discipline must be accompanied by an understanding of the causes of the behaviour.
“I support the Ministry of Education taking a very firm position on violence in our schools. Zero tolerance should mean zero acceptance and zero normalisation of violence, as well as zero normalisation of the spreading and recording of violence. However, it should not mean a zero understanding of why the behaviour occurs.”
Professor Devonish warned against relying only on surveillance or policing, noting the limits of authority over personal devices. Instead, he urged schools to combine clear rules with confidential reporting options.
“We cannot police our way out of this problem. Policy is necessary, and consequences are necessary, but prevention is equally important. The best intervention occurs before the first punch is thrown.”
To stop planned fights before they start, he advised establishing discreet channels that allow students to speak up.
“Schools cannot predict a fight; the best they can do is respond in an efficient and effective way. It is important that schools set up a clear reporting pathway so students know exactly who to tell if they hear a fight is being organised. This gives them confidential ways to report impending conflicts, allowing school management to partner directly with well-intentioned students.”
The ministry highlighted existing initiatives to encourage positive behaviour, including the Positive Vibe programme, Community Service Learning, and service-based activities designed to build character and resilience. Officials said the incidents were not widespread, although any single act of violence remained unacceptable.
While Professor Devonish acknowledged that social-emotional learning programmes work, he said society must evaluate and support them.
“These programmes seek to prevent the behaviour, interrupt it, and replace it with more positive actions. However, this is a multifaceted problem. These programmes alone cannot solve the entire issue, it requires a whole-of-education and whole-country approach.”
He also called on adults to use digital platforms responsibly.
“Parents and adults receive the same message: do not repost or forward these videos, and do not encourage sharing them.
“Adults forwarding the footage can magnify the harm just as easily as children can. Beyond policing, we must be deliberate in shaping behaviour, while continuously gathering scientific evidence to monitor whether these interventions are producing the desired results.”
In its statement, the Ministry of Education Transformation again appealed to parents to guide their children, saying cooperation between homes and schools was crucial to safe learning environments. Officials also praised most students who follow the rules and contribute positively to their schools.
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