Bystander Culture: Why Students Don’t Speak Up
There is a growing concern among us, students of higher learning institutions, regarding an issue that has been widely overlooked these days yet is deeply rooted in our learning institutions which is the rising bystander culture among students.
In schools and universities across the country, we often hear people questioning why students today refuse to speak up when witnessing bullying, harassment or any form of wrongdoing. However, the reality is far more complicated. Over time, without realising it, we have cultivated an environment where silence feels safer than doing what is right.
Additionally, trust in the systems meant to protect students has weakened. When phrases like “biasalah” or “jangan masuk campur” are used to dismiss concerns. Thus, students quickly learn that their voices carry little weight. Other than that, normalisation of harmful behaviour also contributes to the silence. Consequently, when such behaviour becomes part of the school culture, students stop seeing it as something that requires intervention. Hence, without proper guidance, silence becomes the default. This bystander culture is not the fault of students, but it reflects the environment we have shaped around them.
Therefore, urge educational institutions, policymakers and communities to acknowledge this growing concern and take meaningful action. There needs to be an atmosphere where bravery is encouraged and clear paths are set for students to report incidents of bullying and other incidents. Where the culture of just standing by silently can be eliminated. Then and only then will we be able to give students the confidence to speak up.
Nurhuda Aiman Armanshah
Bachelor of Interpersonal Communication, UiTM Shah Alam