Yik Yak, an app that allows its users access to a live feed of what people are saying around them, is becoming more popular amongst college campuses across the country.

App users have the opportunity to share their thoughts in a 200-word statement, a yak, while keeping their privacy. They can then upvote a post they like, downvote a post they don’t, and take a glimpse of the curated what’s hot featured content. Participants may also earn yakarma points for posting yaks with numerous upvotes.

Yik Yak has gained more than 240,000 users since its release in November, 2013.

Ashlee Peterson, a residential assistant at the Collegian, an off-campus student housing facility, had no idea what Yik Yak was when she first heard about it. “I would see the moose bear mascot wearing Yik Yak shirts at parties at college campuses, my friends scrolling through the feed and following the app on Instagram. I personally find it hilarious and think they do a decent job keeping it appropriate for the demographic they are targeting.”

According to their website, Yik Yak has been touring the west coast this fall to bring the Yak to 36 different college campuses in 29 different cities and five different states.

Zach Bigley, sophomore resident of the Global Scholars Hall, began using the app after he heard about it from a close friend.

“I think it is great for the campus as long as it is used correctly,” he said. “As for the dorms, from what I have heard, it is a positive app. The other residents love it and it can always make you laugh.”

Austin Donely, also a GSH resident, has seen a definite impact in the dorms. “It’s just another social media outlet for people to go on when they’re bored or trying to avoid doing work. I do think it’s bad that it can be used to talk badly about people you live with or people in your dorm.”

Several college campuses have been actively protesting and even banning the app as a result of treatment of students. “I don’t think it should be banned. The posts mostly just hate on OSU and whichever football team we are playing that week. Most of the name-dropping and inappropriate posts get down-voted pretty quickly,” Bigley said.

According to its terms, Yik Yak reserves the right to terminate access to your account and your ability to post. They can also refuse, delete or remove any submissions that they determine are inappropriate and may report to law enforcement authorities any actions that may be illegal, and any reports they receive of such conduct.

Marissa Sewart, a Walton Complex residential assistant, has not seen a change in atmosphere on campus.

“I think people who use the app see both positive and negative comments and that affects everyone differently,” Sewart said. “Yik Yak can negatively affect the campus atmosphere especially when certain locations or groups are being talked about on the app. It also is another space cyber bullying and harassment can occur, which in my opinion is the major problem facing campus communities.”

If you are an avid Yik Yak user, you should probably learn about the terms you agreed to. You may not:

∙ Violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.

∙ Use racially or ethnically offensive language.

∙ Discuss or incite illegal activity.

∙ Post anything contrary to our public image, goodwill or reputation.