Children needed more instruction, from both parents and teachers, on proper codes of behavior as recent Internet videos seen in Vietnam suggest they are lacking in discipline and social instruction, an expert has said.

Vu Thu Huong, who teaches in the Primary Education Faculty of the Hanoi University of Education, said in an interview with DtiNews that a recent viral clip posted on March 10 showing a schoolgirl being attacked by a group of students at Ly Tu Trong Secondary School in southern Tra Vinh Province was symptomatic of deeper problems.

Dr. Vu  Thu Huong 

Huong said there had been a growing number of such Internet clips, but that should not be read as an increase in violence at schools but rather increasing access to social media tools that lend them publicity.

She said both boys and girls were increasingly being seen engaging in violent activity.

“Juveniles often act by instinct," she said. "Most of their fights are unpromted.”

Schoolgirls at Ly Tu Trong Secondary School in a fight posted online

Huong suggested the acting out of violent behavior at school may stem from a student's home environment and be influence by family, neighbours and friends. Teachers should more closely monitor the psychological state of students and intervene where necessary by discussing potential problems with parents.

“Schools seem to focus on providing students with knowledge at the expense of moral lessons,” she said. “Morals are considered secondary."

Huong was concerned that teachers may feel constrained by parental interference in administering disciplinary measures to correct bad behavior that harms other students.

To better inform parents about their role in the education of their children, Huong and her colleagues have organised come 100 classes focusing on child psychology, but she says more needs to be done.