For as much as we openly share on social media, the internet can be a surprisingly anonymous place. Yik Yak is the newest social app, and is completely anonymous. Essentially it can be considered an anonymous Twitter.
The app is based of social communities, so we here at Aberdeen have a Yik Yak community. People post about things they see, smell and hear here in Aberdeen. In many ways, this makes the app great because it is based in your area. The references make sense and you get the inside jokes. When you like the yak, you vote it up. It’s a simple concept, but effective.
Of course like anything good in life, Yik Yak can be ruined by a few bad eggs. Social media and the internet have already shown us the mean side of society. Many people have been cyber bullied because the bully does not have to confront the other person face to face. Basically if you don’t have to watch the other person be crushed as you bully them mercilessly, it makes it so much easier.
It may seem totally harmless to post snarky comments on Yik Yak, but we all know that what we say can hurt other people. Calling someone out on social media for your own entertainment is rude and can be very damaging. By and large our Yik Yak has been really awesome! People make jokes that don’t hurt anyone else and talk about big events happening here in Aberdeen, and that is really cool. It’s also great to see people using it to be nice to others!
The simple rule is: if you wouldn’t post it on your own social media site with your name attached to it, then you probably shouldn’t post it on Yik Yak either. Be kind to one another!
All images of Yik Yak are from the Aberdeen community