Vigilance warned over latest mobile app fad

Lakes High principal Bruce Walker said his school would rely on its regular procedures, working with families to ensure any bullying or aggressive behaviour was stamped out. Photo / Stephen Parker

An anonymous communication application criticised for being a platform for bullying hasn't posed any problems in Rotorua, but "it's only a matter of time before it does," a local principal says.

The latest mobile app fad Yik Yak made headlines this week after prestigious Auckland school, Diocesan School for Girls, banned students from using it.

App users, dubbed "yakkers", use the platform to post anonymous messages which can be seen by other users within a 16km radius. According to the app's rules, yakkers who bully or specifically target other users, clutter people's feeds with "useless or offensive yaks", or continue to be "downvoted or reported" will be suspended.

EDITORIAL: Another way to be bullied

However, that hasn't stopped the app coming under fire after students complained about being personally attacked and victimised by other users.

Rotorua Lakes High School principal Bruce Walker said he hadn't heard of any issues in his school but it was "only a matter of time before there is".

"With all new teenage fads like this, it's only a matter of time before issues start to arise and students decide to do something silly."

Mr Walker said his school would rely on its regular procedures, working with families to ensure any bullying or aggressive behaviour was stamped out.

"It's unlikely we would follow in the steps of the Auckland school who banned the app because we don't have the resources or time to police it.

"If it does become an issue we will work with students, parents and families to put a stop to it.

Mr Walker said he had heard a few students referencing the app.

"At the end of the day, there are so many similar apps kids can access that if it isn't Yik Yak, it will be the next fad."

Patrick Walsh, John Paul College principal and chairman of the Ministry of Education's Cyber Bullying Workforce said it was difficult for schools to keep up with the latest apps.

"There are so many apps on the market similar to Yik Yak that schools and boards need to be vigilant when it comes to policing them. Many of these apps, particularly the ones that allow students to post anonymous messages, are harmful and antisocial and it is part of a school's responsibility to educate teenagers about these dangers."

Mr Walsh said while most teenagers were "technically savvy, they were not emotionally equipped to recognise the consequences of their words".

"It is an ongoing issue and we are focusing on educating students on digital citizenship and encouraging them not to download destructive apps such as Yik Yak."