I found an article relating to the new app known as Yik Yak. Most of y'all have probably heard of it and/or have the app. This app is completely anonymous and allows for anyone to post anything at any time. Yik Yak believes that the app allows people to "Share your thoughts with people around you while keeping your privacy." According to this article, Yik Yak has become the "most frequently downloaded social app in the Apple App Store." People, especially students enjoy reading about the comings and goings around them. This app only shows posts that relate within a 1.5 mile radius, which makes them so interesting. Most of the posts are funny and entertaining, but there are also a ton of threatening and mean posts.
This article is about a teacher who found out about this app and found many demeaning posts about her. She talked to the administration about these posts, but due to the privacy policy there was nothing that could be done. "The app’s privacy policy prevents schools from identifying users without a subpoena, court order or search warrant, or an emergency request from a law-enforcement official with a compelling claim of imminent harm." This app is completely anonymous but anything that imposes immediate danger, Yik Yak is willing to cooperate with the authorities.
This app has its pros and cons. "Since the app was introduced a little more than a year ago, it has been used to issue threats of mass violence on more than a dozen college campuses, including the University of North Carolina, Michigan State University and Penn State." These threats are close to home and it is dangerous. “It’s a problem with the Internet culture in general, but when you add this hyper-local dimension to it, it takes on a more disturbing dimension,” says Elias Aboujaoude, a Stanford psychiatrist and the author of “Virtually You.” “You don’t know where the aggression is coming from, but you know it’s very close to you.” Everything said on the app is anonymous but its local. An app started to for good is turning to be harmful.
Our society today loves social media and being connected. But is it ok to be mean for the entertainment of another? No. We live in this constant state of being connected and wanting to share our thoughts with the world but some things are better left unsaid. If you don't have anything nice to share, just don't share it. In my opinion, this app should be used for entertainment and connection and it should stay that way in a positive light.
