The secretary of Samoan Affairs in American Samoa, Mauga Tasi Asuega, has urged the government to curb bad behaviour by youths.
Mauga told a cabinet meeting discussing school vandalism that government officials should use their roles as parents, matai and members of village councils to draw focus to these incidents and how to prevent them.
He said if they don't work together it will become a a very serious problem.
Mauga told the meeting children should not be let go to do whatever they please.
He said "sometimes we have to sasa them, but sasa with love".