A disturbing trend of taping schoolyard fights on cell phones has reached Whitehorse, and resulted in the suspensions of 18 students.

Kerry Huff, principal of Porter Creek Secondary School, confirmed Thursday that a handful of his students have been suspended following two fights that occurred after school on Tuesday.

Four of those students were suspended for participating in the fight, while the other 14 were suspended for watching it, and that number is rising.

'We've had a student surrender their cell phone video of the fights,' said Huff. 'It's extremely disturbing that someone would tape this ... with the intention of putting it on the computer, out on the 'net.'

Across Canada and the U.S., school administrators have began using popular video websites like You Tube to catch students participating in fights, and using that footage to suspend students.

Huff said two fights occurred, with crowds of about 60 to 70 kids watching.

The first fight broke out on school property between two boys in Grades 8 and 9, but was broken up by school staff.

Huff said the fight then moved off school property, where parents called in and reported seeing a physical altercation between two boys in senior grades, also with a large crowd watching.

In both fights, no participants required medical attention, said Huff.

School administrators downloaded the videos from a student's cell phone and were able to identify several students who watched and encouraged the fights.

The cell phone has been returned to the student, but the school has retained downloaded copies of the videos. Huff said as more students are identified on the videos, more will be suspended.

One student who was suspended for watching the fight said today he has learned his lesson, and will not watch a fight again. Asked how he felt about being caught on a cell phone, he was not so apologetic.

'Yes, I am mad they caught me on a cell phone; I think it's stupid. Like, how did they know it was me?'

'It's good visual evidence,' Huff said, which has helped him explain to parents why their child was suspended, as he does not have to rely on hearsay evidence.

Some parents did wonder, however, why their children were suspended for watching the fight.

'It's a relatively new policy, I'd say a couple of years old,' said Huff. 'It's a no-violence policy, and same for the spectators. If the audience stays away, then the fights won't happen.

'I can say the second fight wouldn't have happened if there wasn't an audience there. They didn't even know each other, the participants.'

Huff said this was the first time he has used the non-violence policy to suspend students for watching a fight.

The mother of one of the fight's participants said this morning her son has been suspended for five days.

'My son was suspended for participating in the fight, and you know, he got what he deserved,' she said.

'I was more shocked at the number of kids that watched; I understand what the school is doing.

'You're not always going to stop the fight, but with that many students there watching, you've got to put a stop to it,' the mother said.

Whether a fight occurs on or off school property, Huff said he is responsible for students until they get home, where care transfers over to the parents or guardians.

The RCMP were called to respond to the second fight, and arrived at the scene at 3:28 p.m., though the fight had broken up by then and people were walking home, said an RCMP spokesperson.

No charges have been laid as a result, but the investigation is ongoing.

Huff said most of the students who were suspended for watching the fights have accepted responsibility.

Classes were cancelled Thursday and today for professional development days, so the suspensions will be effective starting Monday.

The mother who spoke to the Star today said punishment is in order, but the suspensions are not the way to go.

'Put something else in place instead of the kids coming home and watching TV,' she said. 'We work as parents; what do you with a 14-year-old at home for five days?'

She said she and her husband have laid down the law with their son, telling him he has to learn to deal with things another way.