The role of bystanders in cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has become a prominent issue in contemporary society. This is particularly due to the concerning number of youths who have been traumatised, sometimes to the point of committing suicide, as a result of being a victim of cyberbullying. There is now a plethora of literature focusing on the relationship between bullies and victims in cyberspace.1 Governments in Australia and throughout the world have also introduced initiatives to tackle the problem of cyberbullying.2 However, the existing literature and initiatives often fail to consider the role of bystanders in encouraging and magnifying the bullying simply by their passive presence or as agents who can potentially curtail cyberbullying incidents before they go too far. This article sheds light on the significant role that bystanders play in cyberbullying, the reasons why they may not intervene, and whether a legal obligation should be placed on bystanders to be ‘good Samaritans’ in cyberspace. Although cyberbullying is not only an issue affecting school-aged youths, this article focuses on minors under 18 years of age.