Why Yik Yak is Probably the Worst Thing to Happen to College Campuses

If you are on a college campus you have probably heard of the new phone App fad called Yik Yak.  This app is basically like Twitter, except “yaks” only show up around the area you are in and are anonymous.

I must say there are some great ways to take advantage of this app around campus.  Using Yik Yak, students can get the word out about special events or organizations or even general things that should be known around campus.  However, the power of being anonymous is often taken advantage of.  Yik Yak is evolving into a trash-talking, degrading and offensive source of social media.

Every time I go on Yik Yak, I see posts saying “so-and-so” is a slut, or every girl in (this sorority/fraternity) is easy, creepy, fat, ugly etc.  This is how rumors are spread and reputations are destroyed.  Also, I have no interest in seeing comments about peoples’ sex lives and relationships, whether they are active or inactive. I do not want to hear what you do with your boyfriend/girlfriend or that you are lonely and need a sex partner.  Do you not get that if you ask someone to come have hook-up with you via Yik Yak they will not know who you are?

I have also seen racist, sexist, homophobic disgusting posts that just should not be spoken to the public.  A friend of mine who goes to Penn State even recently saw shooting a threat like this:

Issues like this CANNOT be taken lightly.  Since these posts are anonymous, people have no shame posting whatever they feel because they know they won’t get in trouble for it, as hurtful as it may be.  It is a chance for people to act immature and vent out feelings while being guarded by their phone screens.

Yik Yak has an option to "up vote" or "down vote" posts or "flag" posts that should be taken down, which is a great addition to the app.  However, by the time some of these super inappropriate Yaks get flagged, they are still seen by some and feelings are still hurt.

I am not saying that Yik Yak should be thrown out altogether.  Like I said, it is very useful to raise awareness around campus.  Plus, we all love those funny little pick-me-ups when we see those creative posts throughout the day.  I am saying that these inappropriate posts that are the basis of Yik Yak are wrong and unnecessary.  Words can be hurtful and even destructive.  If you know a post will hurt someone, think before you post.  Do not post degrading things about other people or organizations to feel more powerful.  Respect the your school.  Respect your fellow students. Respect the organizations.  Respect yourself.