Bystanders of Bullying: What Motivates Students to Intervene or Stay on the Sidelines

The article examines the reasons for witnesses’ (non)intervention in defending victims of school bullying. We explore the phenomenon of moral disengagement among 8th-10th grade students from two schools in Saint-Petersburg.A thematic analysis of 42 interviews revealed that non-intervention is often accompanied by fear, indifference, and the belief that bullying is deserved. Fear of worsening their position in the group hierarchy and the anxiety of becoming the next victim of bullying act as deterrents, leading students to remain passive bystanders. Indifference is often explained by a focus on personal problems and distancing from the challenges of others. Blaming the victims makes intervention a socially undesirable action. Intervention and support for victims are motivated by friendship with the victim, a sense of moral responsibility for the well-being of others, and personal experiences of having been bullied.The study’s findings are important for developing anti-bullying programs and creating a supportive school environment. Addressing the causes of non-intervention can help teach students to be socially responsible for their own behavior and the behavior of those around them.