CMS officials working to combat fights caught on camera

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg School leaders are concerned about the growing trend of students posting videos of fights involving their peers online.

The district is discussing ways to get students to report the fights, instead of picking up their cellphones and recording them.

"They go viral, you can't take those back," said CMS Detective Kenny Lynch. "It's hard for the educators to do their jobs because the whole culture of the school has been disrupted.”

Lynch said that in some instances, students plan attacks and others stand nearby to record them.

Bullying specialist John Concelman said the videos lead to bullying and other problems.

To battle the issue, school officials are focusing more on bystanders.

[ [LINK: Making It Better Initiative] ]

"If we allow the bystander to videotape, for example, an assault on the bus, and we don't step up and hold them accountable, we're basically saying that's OK," Concelman said.

Concelman said they can't punish students for simply recording the fights, but they are discussing ways to hold them accountable, and they are talking to their parents.

"They need to be that nosy parent. They need to have control of that phone," Lynch said.

They are also working to make a difference through a partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and community groups through the “Making it Better Campaign.”

Students are also signing a “Stand Up and Speak Out” pledge to beat bullying.

"We have to create a culture where it's acceptable to stand up and speak out," Concelman said.

CMS leaders hope the efforts to change the culture and discourage the videos will make the schools a safer and more welcoming environment for students.

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