GREAT BAY--A young St. Maarten content creator has gone the extra mile to turn criticism surrounding a viral video into something positive for his peers, with support from influencer Certified Sampson and youth media organization Teen Times, which first reported the initiative.
The content creator, known online as “Whos Ari,” recently drew significant attention after posting a video in which he asked young people for their views on fighting. The responses in the video, along with the way the subject was presented, generated strong public criticism, with many viewers questioning whether the content made school fighting appear humorous or contributed to a negative portrayal of young people.
Rather than ignore the reaction, Ari decided to use the attention surrounding the video to encourage a different conversation.
A former student of St. Maarten Academy, Ari was invited by the school to return and address the student body directly. His message focused on the consequences of fighting, the influence of social media attention, and the need for young people to find better ways to resolve disagreements before they escalate.
Ari also reached out to popular influencer Certified Sampson, who responded by recording a special video message for St. Maarten’s young people addressing school violence and fighting. The video can be viewed through Teen Times on Facebook and Instagram at @teentimessxm.
Speaking to students at St. Maarten Academy, Ari introduced himself as both a streamer and content creator who spends much of his time interacting with young people online.
“As a streamer and content creator, I spend a lot of time talking to people, building a community, and watching how people interact,” he told students. “Lately, looking around the schools of St Maarten, it’s impossible to ignore what’s been going on. The fights have been getting out of hand, and honestly, it feels like nothing real is being done to actually stop them before they start.”
He urged students to consider the consequences that can follow a few moments of conflict, particularly when fights are recorded and circulated online.
“Throwing hands might seem like the quickest way to settle something in the moment, but let’s be real: it doesn’t actually fix anything,” Ari said. “Half the time, it’s over something petty that gets blown way out of proportion because everybody wants a to make a scene. But the attention from a video isn't worth suspensions, getting hurt, or ruining your future you know.”
Ari encouraged students to speak directly with one another when disagreements arise and to walk away from people who are deliberately attempting to provoke them. He also challenged the idea that seeking assistance from teachers, counselors or other adults should be viewed negatively.
“If things are getting way too problematic, reaching out to a teacher, counselor, or an adult isn't snitching; it's smart. It's keeping you out of trouble,” he told the students.
His message comes at a time when incidents involving students and school fights have increasingly generated discussion across St. Maarten, particularly as videos of altercations are quickly shared through social media and messaging platforms.
Ari told the Academy students that changing the situation will require young people themselves to make different choices.
“Fights are completely unnecessary, and as a school, you are better than this. We can change the fight problem here in St. Maarten, but it takes all of us deciding that we’re done with the fights,” he said.
To reinforce that message, Ari told students he had personally contacted Certified Sampson and asked him to record a message encouraging young people to reject school violence.
The decision represents a notable turnaround from the controversy generated by Ari’s original video. Instead of allowing the criticism to end with the removal or defense of the content, the young creator used his own platform and connections to address the concerns raised and speak directly to the same audience that follows his work online.
Ari closed his message by challenging students to think about what they stand to lose when minor disagreements become physical confrontations.
“At the end of the day, Academy, the choice is ours. We can keep letting dumb arguments turn into useless fights, or we can step up, choose la peace, and respect each other. Let’s protect ourselves, protect our futures, and hold each other accountable. Thank you.”
The special Certified Sampson video and Teen Times coverage of Ari’s message can be viewed on the Teen Times Facebook and Instagram platforms, @teentimessxm.
