The circulation of videos showing schoolchildren fighting, and an incident in which a school official had to intervene during a dangerous altercation at the Transport Control Department, prompted a call from the Senate for parents to take responsibility and play a bigger role in their children’s behaviour.

Lindsay Simmons, the Junior Minister of National Security, told the Upper House she was deeply concerned about a spate of “antisocial behaviour” seen in the island’s youth.

The call came after police launched an investigation last month after video footage of two fights between CedarBridge Academy students was circulated on social media.

A police spokesman said yesterday that the investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Ms Simmons said: “We cannot afford to lose any more of our children to violence, crime and negative influence.

“Every life lost, every young person caught up in the justice system and every act of youth violence is a failure of society.”

She said the issue was not confined to the schools but prevalent in the wider community, and urged all stakeholders to collaborate on solutions.

Ms Simmons said the Government remained committed to curbing antisocial behaviour and ensuring youth safety.

She added: “We recognise that this is not just a disciplinary issue but a deeper societal issue that requires a unified, multifaceted approach throughout our country.”

She also called on the public to desist from passing around videos depicting youth violence.

“Sharing these videos only amplifies the trauma, fuels negativity and encourages further antisocial behaviour,” Ms Simmons said.

“Our focus should be protecting our children, not spreading outrageous content that could further harm them.”

She added: “These children are clearly recognisable in these videos so it’s right for us to expect the adults in their lives to take accountability for these unacceptable and egregious behaviours.”

She said adults must play their role in safeguarding children and drawing the line on violent behaviour, noting that the Government could not confront the issue without the proper intervention of parents and adults.

Last year, the Government launched a National Violence Reduction Strategy to curb violence in the community and Ms Simmons outlined several programmes in the plan.

She called on the community to play a part in a collective approach to addressing violence.

She said: “If you see something, say something. If you know a young person who is struggling or heading down the wrong path, reach out and provide some guidance or help.”

In response to a query from Opposition senator Marcus Jones on community guidelines in place for students to navigate social media issues, Ms Simmons said teachers, social workers and counsellors spoke to students regularly on its use and pitfalls.

However, she urged parents to “monitor what your children are doing on social media”.

“Obviously, teachers cannot see what is on the children’s phones,” she said.

Ms Simmons acknowledged the efforts of Christopher Swan, deputy principal at CedarBridge Academy, whom she noted “risked his life” to tackle a young man who was armed with a knife during a fight on March 19 at TCD.

She said: “His quick response likely prevented serious harm and we commend him for his courage and dedication to protecting others.”

“This never should have happened in the first place. No student, teacher or staff member should have to face this level of violence in a school environment or around Bermuda.”