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Students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) are calling for a ban on the anonymous messaging app Yik Yak due to bullying messages shared on the platform. The dean of students, Alan Kramer, addressed the issue, acknowledging the app can be used positively or negatively due to anonymity and free speech concerns. He stated “it’s a double-edged sword” in how it is utilized. Kramer’s office also posted signs promoting agreeable disagreement. Students at nearby Valdosta State University have expressed similar worries about cyberbullying on Yik Yak.
About Yik Yak
Yik Yak is a social media app that allows college students to create and view discussion threads within a 5-mile radius. Launched in 2013 and relaunched in 2021, it faced criticism for facilitating cyber-bullying and spreading offensive content. Despite initial growth, user downloads plummeted in 2016, leading to its closure in 2017. Block, Inc. bought its intellectual property, but Yik Yak made a comeback in 2021. However, in March 2023, it was purchased by Sidechat, a competing platform.
Resource
ABAC official comments on Yik Yak ‘bullying’ controversy (walb.com)