There are over thousands of apps available for the smartphone, a lot of them being free. The best part is that at any moment, we can go no further than the palm of our hands to find out what is new on Facebook, the weather, maps, email, twitter, bank accounts; the list goes on.
One of the hottest apps out there on campus now is Yik Yak. Yik Yak gives a live feed of what people are saying using a phone’s GPS. You can upvote what is good and downvote what is bad.
Yik Yak’s blog states, “Anonymity is a beautiful thing.” Indeed, having a blank slate to express oneself is a beautiful thing. Although, if the blank slate is being used as an opportunity to voice opinions that don’t necessarily need to be heard, then perhaps it is for the worse.
Scrolling through Yik Yak resembles the “burn book” that was discovered in the movie Mean Girls. We all know how that turned out, the principle grabbing a bat against hundreds of girls fighting in the halls like animals. In high school, you would solve the issue by sending the girls to the gymnasium immediately. But in college? Not very likely. What’s even worse is that it is not just the girls being called out negatively on Yik Yak, but entire fraternities. If a drunken frat boy found out that you posted something negative about him or his brothers, you better hope you can run fast.
Yik Yak’s blog also says, “Your popularity, race, gender, sexuality, and looks don’t mean anything on Yik Yak. Anonymity levels the playing field. You can be the quietest person on campus and the most popular poster on Yik Yak.” Yet, people have been called out by first and last name. Popularity, gender, race and even sexuality have all been the punch line of every joke posted. So if the only thing you're judged on is the content that you've created and nothing else, then why is everything that could be hurtful up voted so much? Even as I’m writing this, I get the feeling that I’m going to get yak’d.
What is important to remember is that everything posted on Yik Yak is a joke. No one should take things personally or react in a dangerous manner to a simple post. Try explaining to a police officer that you punched some guy in the face because he posted a Yik Yak, and they will have no idea what you are talking about. It's only crossing the line if things are intentionally posted to hurt someone. The problem is trying to determine where that line falls. Perhaps, it is better to play it safe and not contribute, or at least avoid saying things that are false. However the whole reason why the app is so popular is because it gets constant attention from these comedians. Honestly, I am surprised at how humorous some of the people around campus can be.
But, how can we know if a joke has gone too far? Here are some of Yik Yak’s policies: “By way of example, and not as a limitation, you will not, directly or indirectly: o Transmit any pornographic, obscene, offensive, threatening, harassing, libelous, hate-oriented, harmful, defamatory, racist, illegal, or otherwise objectionable material or contento Transmit any material or content that attempts to falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your identity or affiliation with a person or entityo Transmit material or content that promotes, provides, or relates to instructional information about illegal activities or promotes physical harm or injury against any individual or group….”
I’m all for being entertained, and Yik Yak is definitely entertaining to say the least. In the end, we should remember that we are responsible for any posts that we put out there and the reprocautions. Safe Yakking. Sources: http://yikyakapp.com
