Recent fights at CT shopping centres a spillover from unsupervised internet access, social media usage - criminologist

CAPE TOWN - An independent criminologist and community activist said that the recent fights at shopping centres was a spillover of a culture stemming from the digital space.

Ben de Vos's comments come after an increase in incidents at malls where young people are getting into physical fights with each other.

This past Saturday, a fight broke out inside Canal Walk Shopping Centre between two girls.

Canal Walk's management said that it plans to meet with different partners and authorities to prevent more fighting incidents.

De Vos believes that unsupervised internet access and social media usage can be one of the reasons behind these fights.

"The element of criminality creeps in there, so youngsters are being recruited at very young ages already into gangs and this is a perfect platform away from the parents' direct supervision, so that gives them a sense of freedom."