Last summer, I worked for UNF and found myself meeting plenty of freshmen — some of whom were my residents — and made many connections. What I didn’t realize, however, was that I was a public figure, to be both complimented and criticized. I definitely didn’t expect was to be semi-stalked by numerous individuals anonymously on Yik Yak.

Over the summer, a very large and very real spotlight was directed at me, and I found myself constantly checking the app to see if someone had written about me. While at first it was flattering, especially when there were very strong compliments about me, it soon became something more strange.

As you can see, compliments started pouring in for me. Even my fellow RAs felt the compliments shower them as we all worked though the six-week summer. While there were also complaints about the RAs, especially when we had to do the more enforcement part of our job, we still saw messages like these.

But then one night, "Yaks" about me got out of hand.

And three hours after non-stop postings about me started, there was a petition to post a photo of me.

From then on, I was weary of every step I made outside of my room and found that people would post when I would walk about the halls or when I was on call and doing rounds throughout the residence halls.

Starting another summer semester working for UNF, a fellow RA experienced a similar situation only days after starting. Anonymous posters decided to comment on the RA's appearance and what she could do to them. Sexually.

While some of the compliments could be perceived as kind, many were extremely sexual and vulgar, borderline offensive.

So, what do we take away from this?

No one, and I mean no one, should have to deal with offensive or harassing language posted about them. Posting things anonymously is cowardly.

Student leaders are not around for your viewing pleasure. We're here to enforce policy, not date you. When comments impede work, it makes our lives a lot harder.

Of course, this isn't the first time this has been an issue with Yik Yak, and trust me, I don't blame the app. Yet, the environment perpetuated through the app is a toxic one, one that can surely harm people.