I-Team: Yik Yak already causing problems for some
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- The newest social media craze is already getting kids into trouble. It's called "Yik Yak," and it's anonymous, which means it can lead to bullying and even crime.
Last week at UNC Chapel Hill, with a few key strokes and a click, a campus-wide social media scare was set in motion.
Yik Yak is where UNC's Department of Public Safety said 18-year-old freshman Daniel Fischbeck posted a false bomb threat last Thursday.
The post read: "To all my friends, don't be in the Pit tomorrow at noon. Things will be getting a big explosive."
The message blew up on social media and, within minutes, students were reposting the threat on other platforms overnight. That prompted "Alert Carolina" to issue a warning reassuring the campus community that police were investigating.
By the end of the day, police had made an arrest.
A spokesperson for Yik Yak told ABC11 that it was the social media site that informed campus police about the post in the first place.
"Yik Yak always works side-by-side with police on these issues," said Yik Yak spokesperson Jack Bunting, in a statement.
But what about other issues? Like bullying? UNC sophomore Courtney Gaddy has the app on her phone, but says she rarely looks at it.
"I know it's all anonymous," said Gaddy. "I personally think it serves no point."
The app works like an anonymous news feed. People within the same area, like a college campus, can post anything they want without using their name.
Yik Yak's terms of use show it's meant for those 18 and older. The rules clearly stating users "do not bully or specifically target other Yakkers."
While some students say it isn't all bad. Others know what they're getting with an anonymous app, and they just hope for the best.
Fischbeck has been charged with making a false bomb threat on a public building.
After the arrest, police assured the UNC community there was no threat to the campus.
