The Millennial generation exists in a world filled with fast and unparalleled technological and social developments. We have witnessed an evolution in social media and now, as a generation, must consider how to hold these hegemonious social media brands responsible for minute censorship.

As the number of communicative apps increase, there is little authority to the extent that you can use your social voice. What happens when an app doesn’t require a name, a photo or any obligation to reveal your identity? How do we hold these users, and the social outlets, responsible when posts are inappropriate or worse dangerous?

One particular app that has ignited across college campuses, Yik Yak, allows users to post in a bulletin board fashion without having to reveal their name or any form of identity. When uploading posts on the application, every user makes a cognitive decision about what they want to say. Yik Yak users additionally have an optional GPS locating option. This option allows it’s user to either reveal the location of their post, or remain entirely anonymous.

“It’s interesting to read through and is very entertaining. But, it does harm because the anonymity allows our generation to believe that our actions have no consequences.” said sophomore at the University of Colorado- Boulder, Melanie Schultz.  

On Friday, Sept. 19, a user in Athens, Georgia used the app to post a violent threat which threw the  University of Georgia campus into a frenzy. The post stated (as seen above), “If you want to live don’t be at the MLC at 12:15.”

Considered to be a valid threat, this issue was addressed with the utmost efficiently by UGA campus authorities. Upon notification the Miller Learning Center (MLC otherwise reffered to as SLC) building in threat was evacuated until the “alleged” threat had been resolved. 

“The power an anonymous user holds is both incredible and extremely haunting,” said junior at the University of Georgia, Kirby Massengale.  “The impact one person can make on an entire community is tremendous, serious or not.” 

Similar to the ongoing debate within News organizations over whether public tweets should be embedded into breaking news stories, Millennials are pondering whether Yik Yak posts should be trusted, and what qualifies for a post to be interpreted as a valid source. 

“People seem to be more prone to believe things written in anonymity, especially since everyone on Yik Yak is equal,” said sophomore student at George Washington University, Jennifer Canace. “There’s no way to judge the credibility of the source or the person who wrote it.” 

Should Yik Yak and other anonymous-based apps be responsible for monitoring these posts in order for said apps to not be used in a malicious manner?  What would Woodward and Bernstein think? It’s time to we have a real debate regarding anonymity and the effects that it has on individuals in our society.