The underrated beauty of Yik Yak

Much of this year’s campus controversy has stemmed from the unfiltered social media app, YikYak, where people can anonymously post threads and comments, using an ‘up-vote down-vote’ system as a marker of popularity. The danger of giving college students unlimited access to an anonymous forum is evident: insensitive jokes, racial slurs and personal attacks are plentiful.

But while the evident teenage immaturity is pervasive through much of the lighthearted yet questionable postings, it is unfortunate that YikYak has become more of a gossip site and less of a true unfiltered outlet for students to express their thoughts. We should utilize this resource more seriously, and limit extraneous and non-constructive comments that deter users from actual conversation that could potentially incite change in our academic community.

In a university setting, it can be daunting to truly voice your opinions publicly, which is perhaps part of the reason YikYak has become so popular. The app provides a consequence-free platform for student opinion, good or bad, mild or harsh. Much of what is said university-wide, whether through official press releases, student-run organizations, or even publications such as The Daily Trojan are subject to stringent scrutiny. We are in a microcosmic society that promotes criticism, whether it be constructive or not. After all, tuition itself is nearly $50,000. For paying that annual price, shouldn’t we be entitled to a perfect educational setting?

No, of course not. No university is perfect, and it is, of course, impossible to please everyone. But anonymous postings like YikYak are important in identifying potential campus issues that can be addressed.

Sifting through some of the disingenuous “jokes” may be pertinent in finding reoccurring student life issues. For example, negative comments about specific sororities or fraternities may be attributed to members of the community jaded by Greek life, but consistent posts about Greek-university relations should prompt us to think about the plausible divisions between the respective communities.

It is impractical to expect that everyone will go about voicing their anonymous opinions respectfully, but as members of the same, unified community, we should all work together to address solvable and reoccurring problems. For example, as of late, complaints about various aspects of the Undergraduate Student Government have become commonplace. Though it is hard to evaluate these claims and accusations without knowing more information, perhaps it is a topic we ought to delve into.

After all, ignorance isn’t bliss. As university students, we should aim to expand our knowledge, rather than complain endlessly or ignore potentially pertinent issues in our community.

Megan Chun is a freshman majoring in environmental studies and political science. Her column, “A Day in the Life,” runs on Fridays every other week.