The great Yik Yak debate refreshed itself once again this year.

According to a campus-wide email sent out in late September, a student posted a threat to the app, Yik Yak, that read something along the lines of,
“During this fire alarm would be the perfect time for a school shooting.”
According to Carol Brewer, Director of Campus Safety, an alumni first noticed the post and reported it to Yik Yak, upon which it was subsequently removed.

Campus safety was then notified about the post.

In response to the threat, Campus Safety surveyed the campus and determined that the threat had no longer existed. They then had sent out an email to all of the students and faculty describing the incident along with providing a link of tips about what to do in a school shooting.

Gustavus is just one of many colleges across the nation where Yik Yak is used to post threats. According to a Washington Post article, school shooting threats have been made on other campuses such as Penn State, Drake University, and Emory University. The same article mentioned that at Mary Washington University, posts specifically targeted a group of feminist students.

The anonymous app has been a point of fierce debate among students since last year’s Female and Male Power Hour in the workout room received heavy criticism. The end of Building Bridges particularly sparked controversy when several of the organization’s leaders were threatened. As a result, last year a student formed organization was created, Students Against Yuk or SAY, that encouraged students to think twice about what they’re anonymously posting via Yik Yak.

Other anonymous social media platforms such as Gustavus Love Confessions or Gustavus Bananas, keep it safe and appropriate with humor and compliments, Yik Yak should take more after them instead of a place of insults and negativity.

Consequently,because of the dispute, a number of students have deleted the app from their phones, including Sophomore Ellen Kneeskern and several of her friends.

“The app promotes anonymous bullying and violence. People can say whatever they want because they can’t see the consequences that follow.”Kneeskern said.

The fact that no change occurred after the threats last year reinforced that students are protected by the anonymity.

“Students just see anything they post as being funny. The school shooting threat was not funny.” Kneeskern said.

“The app promotes anonymous bullying and violence. People can say whatever they want because they can’t see the consequences that follow.”
—Ellen Kneeskern

However, in conrast, Sophomore Ezra Koetz has decided to keep the app.
“Interesting debates and perspectives came up that I wouldn’t have known about without Yik Yak” Koetz said.

He also pointed out that not all of the discussions are bad. Some can even be amusing quips.

“Interesting debates and perspectives came up that I wouldnt have known about without Yik Yak”
—Ezra Koetz

“I really enjoyed the pun session last year.” Koetz added.

Due to the controversy over Yik Yak, the idea of geofencing, or blocking students from using Yik Yak, was suggested. But while geofencing may block a few individuals from speaking their minds, it will not solve the problem.

The decision to use the app for threats or fun is completely up to the students. The heart of the issue lies in the community of students on Yik Yak. Instead of criticizing the app, focus on the people hiding behind it.