Editorial: Another way to be bullied

The best advice for any parent or teacher worried about the app is, as Netsafe says, to talk to children about online behaviour and encourage positive use. Photo / Thinkstock

If you didn't know what Yik Yak was yesterday - you may well know by now.

The smartphone app has been in the news for the same reason new apps often make headlines - people are using them for nefarious purposes.

In this case Yik Yak has been banned from some schools because principals say it's being used to bully students.

Yik Yak is a social media network that allows people to anonymously post messages to an audience within a 16km radius.

People can then comment on those posts.

Netsafe says it's the ideal situation for a bully. "The identity of the bully is most likely known to the victim but not easily identified by authorities, so abuse is very difficult to prove," says boss Martin Cocker.

Cyber bullies thrive on anonymity - they can get away with so much more.

But anyone on traditional social media knows that nastiness isn't restricted to anonymous forums. Facebook comments can be full of outrage and abuse as online arguments spiral out of control.

Twitter is often a battleground of furious mob justice as people dare to have opinions outside the accepted lines.

The technology is there to create umpteen apps like Yik Yak. If this one hadn't taken off in popularity the next one may well have.

But schools are right to be wary. Some, like Northcote College in Auckland, have shown a very mature attitude in dealing with the issue.

It told students, "If you are using Yik Yak please take a moment to consider whether it is making you feel happy and whether it is making the people you care about happy ... If it is not, then withdraw. Walk away."

Whether that's enough will depend on whether levels of bullying decrease or not.

In the meantime the best advice for any parent or teacher worried about it is, as Netsafe says, to talk to children about online behaviour and encourage positive use.