Footage posted to YouTube, as highlighted (above) in the Daily Mail.
The Pat Cronin Foundation has urged those involved with a teenage “fight club” in parks around Adelaide to think about the lifelong consequences they could face.
Disturbing footage has been shared online of boys and girls brawling on ovals.
Foundation director Matt Cronin told the Daily Mail the consequences of unsanctioned fights could be devastating.
According to the Mail report, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is “absolutely appalled” and has asked his ministers to “crack down” on the behaviour.
Mr Cronin said: “Once a punch is thrown, you can’t control what happens – especially when it’s in an unsupervised environment.
“All it takes is one punch and the worst possible consequence from this is death.”
The Foundation has previously highlighted the problem of “fighting for likes” on social media.
While social media can be an excellent way to connect with others, it can also be a breeding ground for harmful and inappropriate content, and perpetuates a need for constant validation.
Foundation research in classrooms Australia-wide has revealed that almost one quarter of high school students like to watch fights in the playground, over one-third have been in a physical fight and 36 per cent either agree or are at least neutral on the question of whether it’s fun to tease classmates.
The figures are based on surveys of thousands of students.
