Yik Yak became popular overnight and even a campus as small as Iona’s has been in on the buzz.

This social media app is designed for college students and gives users the freedom to write about anything or anyone they feel like while still remaining anonymous.

The app was created by two former Furman University students, Brooks Buffington and Tyler Droll. It was launched in November 2013 and has grown rapidly since ranking ninth on the Free Top Charts in the App Store. Currently, over 500 colleges have gotten involved with the app.

Yik Yak displays posts from users within a mile and a half radius of the user. There is also a 200 character limit.

Yik Yak is the place for any user to complain, make a joke or speak up about what is going on around the campus.

Users of the app are referred to as the “herd” and they can “up-vote” things they find funny or “down-vote” the post if they dislike it. To prevent useless or offensive posts, Yaks with five down-votes are automatically deleted. If a user’s Yaks continue to be down-voted or reported, he or she will be suspended.

Some of the top Yaks in the Iona College area are:

“Instead of leaking celeb nudes online, can somebody just ‘leak’ PDF versions of textbooks online? Just a thought,” and “We need Chipotle on Main Street.”

For the most part, Iona students are on board with what is being referred to as the “Anonymous Twitter.”

“I think it is a great opportunity for students to express how they really feel as creative young individuals,” senior Valerie Tufaro said. “People are more willing to say stuff that they wouldn’t in person or even on Twitter.”

The app unites students through empathy, but it can also be abused.

“It opened my eyes to what Iona College is really like,” senior Daniel McLendon said.

Although Yik Yak is promoted as an app filled with funny posts that are catered to the area you live in, there are some Yaks that aren’t as nice. Oftentimes this is seen when users post comments criticizing or simply targeting a specific individual or organization.

“Sometimes people just write negative things about people they don’t really know,” said McLendon.

Iona Yaks seem to range from what students see on campus to getting as personal as to looking for some love for the night. Yik Yak has become beneficial for students, giving them updates about how long the line is at the Ave on a Sunday morning or what event is currently going on around campus.

“I like it because it’s funny to listen to other people complain about local things, you know,” senior Anais Villa said. “You can relate to the posts since its only stuff around that you will know about. It’s fun to try and figure out who wrote it.”

Even though most posts that appear on the live feed are harmless, students (and anyone in the community) should be prudent not to post anything of serious conseqence. Despite the app’s policy of anonymity, police can track down where the content is coming from if a severe threat has been posted.

Fortunately, most Gaels have been keeping it fun and harmless–the way it should be.

“It’s is just for fun and like any other social media app, an excuse to procrastinate,” Villa said.