Not only that, but they are encouraged to stay out of it by teachers/administrators. Think about it like this: "I can step in, and try to stop the bullying, an

Not only that, but they are encouraged to stay out of it by teachers/administrators. Think about it like this: "I can step in, and try to stop the bullying, and possibly get beat up. At the very least I'll get detention. Or I can just sit-back and watch." And, IME, the kids that were bullied, were the "weird ones" (that was me!). So it generally doesn't improve your social status to help that kid. So bystanders have all the incentives to stay out of the bullying.