What are the Dangers of Posting Negative Comments Anonymously Online?

While social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram may not be anonymous, ever since thedirty.com debuted, tons of websites, apps and other social media sites have been created for the online troll to anonymously bash whoever they wish.

Anyone can upload comments of some poor unsuspected soul and trash talk them anonymously, along with their victims full names and several pictures. Then of course the dozens upon dozens of comments from other anonymous trolls after that.

But The Dirty isn't the only one out there. There is one that markets to college kids.

I recently learned of the app Yik Yak, developed primarily for college kids to post anonymously within a 2 mile radius of their current location. It's like Twitter, except there are no screen names and anyone with the app in that area can post whatever they wish. And they definitely are. 

I apologize in advance for the comments in the picture below.

 Pat Taft, employee at Queens University of Charlotte says the app Yik Yak is the most recent app where students can post anonymously. 

"There is a contingent of college students that will post anything and everything. When they think it is anonymous they do have a filter. They will post ugly messages using the other person's  name. They have no concern for feelings. They also use a lot of profanity. They will ask individuals to meet them in certain places to have sex and exchange drugs. This is not just Queens. I have observed this at other institutions as well," said Taft.

However, there are some restrictions to the app. Yik Yak will remove a comment if it receives five or more people that dislike it. 

"I posted that some thoughts should never leave your brain and that Yik Yak will probably turn out not to be anonymous and it will affect people getting jobs - it was off within one minute," said Taft.

While Yik Yak shows comments from users within a 2 mile radius of where you are logged in, Taft says the app does not speak well for a University.

"Students at other schools and neighbors can see the information. Yik Yak has been disturbing because students have talked about the administration, faculty and peers in a negative manner using specific names. You sure can tell what they think about certain classes," said Taft.

So what can we do about this?

In my opinion, this is not new and it will certainly not be the last app or website that allows people to speak their minds anonymously. People as a whole need to stand up and speak out against this kind of behavior and understand that it gets you no where.

As an employee at a University, Taft has this bit of advice to offer college students.

"Assume that nothing is anonymous! Do not post anything that you would not mind a future employer reading. Also, if you cannot say it to someone's face, then you should not say it online. 

They need to understand that just because they cannot see hurt feelings, crying, and depression from their remarks it does not mean they are not there. What they post is a reflection of themselves.  They should ask the question, 'How am I going to be perceived?' before pushing the send button."

What do you think about websites and app such as The Dirty and Yik Yak? What do you think people get out posting negatively about others and what, if anything, do you think can be done about it?