'Yik Yak' App Causing Concern After Threats Made At Marblehead High
MARBLEHEAD (CBS) --- Marblehead High School was evacuated twice Tuesday after someone posted threats on the social media app "Yik Yak."
Police there, have contacted police in Mobile, Alabama, where a similar case led to the arrest of two teens.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
'Yik Yak App Causing Concerns After Threats Made At Marblehead High
The app, a cross between Snapchat and Twitter, says it's a live feed of what people are saying around you, using your phone's GPS. The posts only stay up a limited amount of time before disappearing.
On its website, Yik Yak even says: "No profile, no password, it's all anonymous."
The app is raising concerns because the anonymous content and moderation is all user-driven.
If a post receives two "dislikes" then it disappears. The other option is for users to take a screenshot of an offensive post and email it to Yik Yak to remove.
Ashley Rains is a public affairs officer in the Mobile Police Department. She tells WBZ NewsRadio 1030's that parents really need to be aware of the app.
"If you want your child to use it, make sure you know what they're reading and what they're posting because this app can really be taken too far," Rains said. "Just immature juveniles that think they are playing a prank."
In Mobile, Yik Yak helped police track down the kids, meaning the anonymous media site ultimately, is not so anonymous.
Marblehead Police are now trying to track down whoever issued the threats on Tuesday.
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