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Call to ban mobile phones in schools to stop

Fights on video Minister issues

BY MICHAEL GOREY
Email: editor@tbw.com.au
zero tolerance
A LEADING adolescent psychologist has renewed
a call for mobile phones to be banned in schools
policy warning
after viewing footage of Mount Gambier teenagers EDUCATION Minister Jane
fighting. Lomax-Smith says schools
A YouTube video posted last month shows local have “zero tolerance” to
young people brawling at schools and public violent behaviour, even
places. if it happens outside the
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg has been the consultant schoolyard.
psychologist to the Victorian Secondary Schools “Schools will take strong
Principal’s Association and leading private schools action against students
in Melbourne. He was one of the founding mem- involved in violent incidents
bers of the National Coalition Against Bullying. and will not hesitate to
“I do believe that this is more evidence for my involve police,” Dr Lomax-
call for a ban on mobile phones in schools - in Smith said in response to
a bid to prevent them being used to film fights the YouTube video of Mount
between young people which are then posted on Gambier students fighting.
the internet,” he told The Border Watch. “Technology has made
“This happens, because some young people bullying and violence among
come to school with an array of psychological young people a 24/7 issue.
risk factors that predispose them to behave this Parents need to be aware of
way. technology and how it can be
“These risk factors exist within themselves, misused.”
their peers, their families, the school and the South Australian students
community. will be handed materials
“The issue is complex and there is no simple pA scene from a YouTube video showing Mount Gambier young people fighting.
later this year that are
solution.” designed to help them stay
Dr Carr-Gregg said a diet of violence as enter-
tainment has led to “desensitisation to violence
Boredom blamed for youth violence cyber safe.
The misuse of mobile
and a tendency to see violence as a problem- THE publisher of a YouTube compiled using mobile blue- people fighting either hate each phones, email and the
solving device. video that shows local teenag- tooth technology, the young other, cheated on his/her girl/ internet to bully and harass
“While I think some of these fights looked worse ers fighting has criticised the brave fighters usually tell their boyfriend, stole an ipod or other young people will be tackled
than they were, I am sure some of the participants lack of entertainment for young beloved friends to film the fights things along those lines. in the documents.
were coerced in to fighting while bystanders use people in Mount Gambier. so they can have a laugh later “Fights like this would even- “The new materials we
mobile phones to capture the violent clashes which The Border Watch contacted on when they’re suspended and tually stop if something fun was are producing will advise
are then posted on websites like YouTube and “fiteeesXD” who posted the grounded, with no ice cream for built in Mount Gambier. schools, teachers and
Bebo,” he said. video on February 24. dessert,” fiteeesXD replied. “We don’t need a new library, parents about legislation,
“Cell phones are about helping young people We asked how it was com- “But these kids do not fight our old one was fine. policies and practices,
who have them to feel safe; they should not be piled and if the young people for no reason, nor fight over “We need things to keep the protection and safety
about putting young people at risk. involved knew they were being asking someone to send them young ones entertained, such concerning cyber use by
recorded. a dollar. as a games arcade, a dragway young people,” Dr Lomax-
Continued page 4 “This beautiful video was “They fight because the two and a drift track.” Smith said.

WEATHER Mount Gambier Today - Light morning shower or two. 21o – page 23 TV GUIDE Page 10 COMICS Page 14 CLASSIFIEDS Pages 15-17

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