Secret ‘fight clubs’ igniting violence in Queensland schools

An underground fight club culture has infiltrated Queensland schools, with students promoting violence to gain notoriety. SEE THE IMAGES

Parents have been warned of an underground “fight club” culture that’s infiltrated into Queensland schools with students using social media to promote violence to gain notoriety.

Confronting footage of male and female students involved in public and on-campus brawls with fellow students have emerged on TikTok and Instagram in recent weeks.

Some of the videos include students wearing state school uniforms while other brawls involving young people were filmed at prominent shopping centres and bus stops.

While student fights are nothing new, it’s the acts of violence shared onto social media with tech-savvy hashtags that has sparked a new trend.

Videos of state school students from the Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich and Kingaroy have gone viral on social media in recent weeks.

Videos of alleged fights between students and teenagers in public places have emerged on Instagram pages glorifying violence. Picture: Instagram

Videos of alleged fights between students and teenagers in public places have emerged on Instagram pages glorifying violence. Picture: Instagram

Students at Rosewood State High School were filmed allegedly fighting in a toilet block surrounded by at least 10 others egging on the violence during term 3.

Yells of “get him” and “break his teeth” were captured in the audience of the footage which prompted Ipswich police to launch an investigation.

Social media pages on TikTok and Instagram themed around “Sunny Coast fights” and “Sunshine Coast fights” have also emerged.

Students from prominent schools at Sippy Downs and Beerwah were filmed allegedly attacking each other in front of a crowd of onlookers.

Similar incidents have unfolded at Flagstone State Community College at Logan including 30 students involved in a sickening brawl during school pick-up in June.

Parents said five students had been expelled while Logan Police were forced to step up patrols around the college.

Clinical psychologist Dr Judith Locke said children lived their lives on social media and used their platforms to establish themselves and find a place in peer groups.

The Toowong-based expert with 30 years’ experience said it came back to a form of attention seeking.

“It almost becomes a perpetuating cycle of seeing this and wanting to do it themselves. They see the notoriety, the comments, the likes, the attention and they look for similar affirmation,” Dr Locke said.

“It’s bigger than the playground when you have access to the world in your pocket.

“I think we have to really look at whether we are raising a generation that over rely on social media approval as their essential source.”

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace condemned the behaviour saying violence or abuse was not tolerated.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

“It’s always very concerning to hear of fights being filmed and shared on social media, and students should be aware that if they are identified the school will apply relevant disciplinary action,” Ms Grace said.

“Students and families with concerns are encouraged to speak with their school principal in the first instance.

“Students should not be behaving like this, and it needs to stop.”

Ms Grace said schools had access to support staff to assist those who had been affected by violence or similar incidents.

“Any situation that threatens the safety and wellbeing of students, staff or others in our school communities is treated extremely seriously and dealt with in line with the school’s student code of conduct, which may include exclusion,” she said.

Dr Locke said sporting teams was one space that had helped provide violent children an outlet.

She said each incident must be treated on a case-by-case basis.

“It’s really about going back to basics and make children be not as dependent on social media approval,” Dr Locke said.

“That’s where sporting teams, camaraderie and a sense of competition can provide.

“You get that win together, lose together mentality in a more controlled environment.”

Originally published as Secret ‘fight clubs’ igniting violence in Queensland schools