A short video depicting a suspected bullying incident involving three secondary school students has gone viral on the social media platform Threads today, 29 March. The footage shows three male students from a school in the Eastern District engaged in a heated dispute inside a McDonald’s outlet. In the clip, two of the students appear to gangle up on a classmate wearing glasses, forcibly restraining him while slapping him and pouring a drink over his head.
The victim attempted to defend himself by hurling a drink cup at one of the aggressors, which reportedly caused the perpetrator to lose his temper and move to strike again. However, the escalation was halted when an older male bystander stepped in to intervene. When confronted by the adult, the aggressive student was heard shouting, “Hey, he hit me first,” attempting to shift the blame despite the preceding actions captured on camera.
The incident has triggered intense debate online, with many netizens praising the bystander for his quick action while condemning the students’ behaviour as “outrageous.” While some users claiming to be involved suggested the event actually took place a year ago and has since been resolved, many others argued that the severity of the bullying warranted a formal report to the school. Critics noted that “bullying under the guise of innocence” remains a serious issue that requires immediate adult intervention.
In response to the viral video, Lingnan Secondary School in Heng Fa Chuen issued a formal statement on its website this afternoon. The school clarified that the incident occurred during the early stages of last year’s summer holidays. According to the statement, disciplinary teachers had followed up immediately at the time, meeting with the involved students and their parents to understand the circumstances. The school confirmed that strict disciplinary action was taken in accordance with school regulations to ensure the students reflected on their misconduct.
The school management emphasised that they prioritise the holistic development of their students, focusing on discipline and law-abiding behaviour. While the school requested the public to give the students space to reform, the Education Bureau (EDB) has also weighed in, stating they have contacted the school to provide further support and guidance. The EDB reiterated its “zero-tolerance” policy towards any form of school bullying, urging all educational institutions to handle such cases with the utmost seriousness and to prioritise student safety above all else.
