When YikYak isn’t used for casual conversations or to post memes, it incites a cycle of hostility, hatred and mutual bonding over ruining reputations. Every once in a while, a huge scandal instigates a mob mentality where other students mindlessly hop on bandwagons. Needless to say, this severely damages the campus environment. Some posts and comments are indeed backed with validity, but it’s ill-informed to assume all rumors are unequivocally proven without a shadow of a doubt. YikYak is an anonymous app where anyone can say anything about anyone.
Despite everyone knowing that fake rumors exist in day-to-day lives, all bets are off on YikYak. Information illiteracy runs rampant on YikYak, with students not understanding the ethical or social damages a rumor can place on a person. By rejecting any nuances and not critically analyzing or questioning the validity of these anonymous posts, one post can tear your entire reputation to shreds.
The main reason fake rumors even exist on campus is due to the power that comes with anonymity. Anonymity allows individuals to vent their frustrations about certain people without having to face the repercussions of it being traced back to them. The only issue is that these comments are broadcasted to the entire student body. Confrontation should not be taboo. If you have problems with a specific person, why let everyone know?
But this isn’t an experience exclusive to Whitman. In fact, YikYak was shut down temporarily in 2017 because of its infamy of becoming a cesspool for hate speech and cyberbullying. In 2015, two college students in Missouri were arrested for inciting death threats against Black students. The culmination of anonymous posting and the right of self-proclaimed freedom of speech generates a toxic and dangerous environment.
Since its revival in 2021, YikYak created community guidelines that are intended to mitigate bullying and hate speech, but these community guidelines are not enough. After election day, the app was filled with harmful hateful speech directed at LGBTQ+ students and students of color. Although they were downvoted into oblivion, it created a fear surrounding the safety of students of minority.
One community guideline that has had little impact on campus cyberbullying is the ban on name-dropping. This policy does not stop students from dropping hints, initials or just blatantly ignoring the rules by giving first and last names. The app has little to no moderation, allowing rumors to run rampant regardless of their validity. Even if the post is deleted for violating the policies, chances are it has already reached an audience.
YikYak not only creates a culture of hostility, but it extends to the classroom environment. The sheer amount of professors who have to clearly state in their policies that “what is said in the classroom stays in the classroom” highlights not only the social and cultural prevalence it has on campus but also its damaging nature.
Despite these policies being put in place, YikYak increases the already-existing fear of participating in class. Irresponsibly attacking people who may unintentionally make an academically “incorrect” comment just for some extra Yakarma is pathetic.
This behavior contradicts the entire point of higher education. Being able to learn and change your perspectives is an essential part of learning. Immediately attacking a person does not allow room for personal growth, it allows a precedent for others to attack them.
There is truly no real beneficial purpose for publicizing personal vendettas on YikYak besides finding solidarity with others who are obsessed with gossip and hate. The routine post of “Where is the tea” that circulates every once in a while only demonstrates the weird online attachment Whitman students have for mindless drama.
The anonymity of YikYak allows individuals to spread gossip without any consequences. This app’s reputation for false rumors should raise alarm bells and serve as a wake-up call for all students. The lack of nuance and the immediate jump to assume all posts are in good faith, or entirely true, can unintentionally defame a person and can propagate a culture of obsessive hate.
