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BENDIGO health workers say a young person's tendency to make decisions on impulse without considering the long term impacts was a key factor in an ugly brawl on Thursday.
The comments come after footage emerged on social media of two youths fighting in Rosalind Park.
The videos have since been removed and police are investigating the incident.
Sue McConnachie, Bendigo Community Health Services senior manager mental health related programs, said while the young people in the video had to take responsibility for their actions, their brains were still developing.
She said young people were more inclined to make decisions based on impulse without considering the long term consequences which could result.
"This age group is still developing mentally. They are impulsive and live in the present moment," she said.
"They're not capable of considering long term consequences and making decisions based on them."
They are impulsive and live in the present moment.
- Sue McConnachie
Ms McConnachie said while violence was increasing, reports of violence were increasing too.
She said young people were more exposed to violence nowadays and there was a greater desensitising of violence. She said there was also an increase in access to social media platforms.
Child Health Invest pediatrician team manager Gail Clarke echoed Ms McConnachie's comments and said young people were still developing their problem solving skills.
The person who uploaded the video and posted it on social media removed the footage on Friday and wrote an apology.
Ms Clarke said his actions in removing the video showed he had learned a valuable lesson. She said this was a positive response.
Ms Clarke said young people needed good role models to guide them through adolescences.
However, she said sometimes extra support was needed for families and there were plenty of services available in Bendigo.
"They are really valuable and very useful," she said.
"Parenting doesn't come naturally to everyone but there are plenty of resources around to help.
"We would encourage people to get help."
