Cyberbullying exists at Boston College
Yik Yak perpetuates anonymous bullying on campus
My twin sister, Katherine, and I have been harassed relentlessly via the Yik Yak app, which is essentially an anonymous Twitter.
I’ve decided that the only way to illustrate the large nature of the cyber bullying which we endured – and which so many students endure – is to furnish this article with every screenshot that I have of the ordeal.
Now, in dealing with the Yik Yak screenshots, I ascertained that there are five different types of Yik Yakkers in this situation: The Douchebags (the many), The Confused (in need of information about the situation), The Capricious (are you complimenting me or insulting me?), The Egregiously Unoriginal, and The Defenders (the brave and the few).
First, we begin with The Douchebags. Take a seat because this may take a while to read.
The Douchebags
At least you think aspects of us besides our faces are nice
Catch us in our next porno. It’s called ‘Go F*** Yourself’
Don’t worry guys our first porn is coming out this summer! Oh wait it’s actually not a porn…it’s an Indie film…that you’re more than welcome to watch when it is complete
Yes, thank you for pointing out that this did in fact happen last year, which is the reason that I decided to delete the app. But I download it for a day and didn’t even have to scroll down to see hundreds of Yik Yaks about us
Did you just manage to bully me while stating that you didn’t feel the need to bully me?
#stopcyberbullying2k16
How ever did she find out that we WANTED this attention? How I love being called ugly, a butter face, compared to an oompa loompa, socially obtuse, etc
Urban Dictionary defines ‘slooters’ as: ‘Slooter is the most extreme form of a slut. Slooters can be found in clubs around the world or even in your local beaches. Slooters will do anything and everything to get in your pants. So beware of the slooters!’
I didn’t actually write the second comment – but s/o to that senior!
One of my favorites: being compared to an Oompa Loompa AND a $10 prostitute in one post? Priceless.
Although I must say she could be tanner. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FINDING OUR TRIPLET! We have been looking for her since we lost her in the Chocolate Factory circa 1971.
A three part anonymous Yik Yak? That’s dedication
Bullying ISN’T illegal? That comment was too ignorant to warrant a response from me. The comments continued as follows:
Wow. You’re so informed! You can only go to jail if “the girls became really fucked up because of it.”
Well, now I suppose is a good time to inform you that we had to go to the hospital because of this bullying. Is that “fucked up” enough for you?
Now, this is a good representation of The Douchebags. It may shock you, but it continues. After the first wave of Yik Yaks, I wrote a satirical Facebook post responding to the comments. The brave anonymous writers then took to Yik Yak once more to let me know how they felt about it.
I’m glad you read my post, as it was directed at you courageous anonymous Yik Yakkers
After my Facebook post, the Yik Yaks kept pouring in, so I determined that the next move was to write a Buzzfeed article about the perpetuation of cyber bullying via Yik Yak.
Well, my large following on Yik Yak certainly had some things to say about it:
If you no longer want me to get attention, why don’t you stop Yik Yaking about me? Problem solved
You’re right – taking to a platform to write about an important cause that causes gives many college students around the country emotional distress is such a “dumb way to handle it.”
Next, we moved on to The Confused. These stray puppies were just looking for some direction while trying to navigate the social Yik Yak waters.
The Confused
I’m also wondering what’s going on. We’re in this together
I also don’t know what is going on with this ‘Swallow twins shit’ so you and me both son. But hey shoutout to yellow boot because you’re a real homie
I mean BC does encourage getting involved so I guess it’s only right that you are
This has got to be my absolute favorite.
Our books were upside down? I’m so glad you informed me of this egregious error on my part. Thank you. For everything
Now the next few members of The Confused could as easily be called The Egregiously Ignorant, but I try to see the best in people so I’m choosing to believe they were confused rather than extremely unintelligent.
All I have to say is, if you read this article, I hope you gather that a tad bit more was said than that we are “hot”. I’m sorry that you were bullied when you were 11, but Katherine and I have been bullied our entire lives.
It’s no secret that we transferred high schools because the bullying was so intolerable. I figured it would stop in college, but, as evidenced by this situation, it clearly did not.
Now, I think you’re very confused right now. Yik Yak is an ANONYMOUS app.
I’m glad that you felt comfortable enough to identify someone besides yourself by first and last name. Unfortunate that you don’t feel as comfortable exposing your cowardly self.
Next, The Capricious. Are you insulting me? Complimenting me? I have no idea but perhaps my readers can help me solve these mystifying comments.
The Capricious
Did you spend all day trying to think of a ‘Swallow’ pun to get ‘up votes’ to boost your self esteem momentarily?
I imagine you howling this like a wolf when you say it, but perhaps that’s just my own artistic interpretation of that
WELL THANK YOU. I THINK THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN MYSELF AND MY TWIN SISTER. Seriously thank you.
Okay. Now onto The Egregiously Unoriginal comments that I probably should have omitted from this piece, but I still think it’s worth mentioning just so that we can all take note of how egregiously unoriginal these comments are.
The Egregiously Unoriginal
My only suggestion is that you never try to make a joke again. Like ever. Never again
Now for the sake of levity I’d say it’s finally time for The Defenders. I don’t know who any of you are, but you’re all wonderful. And contrary to popular belief, I did not write any of these about myself.
The Defenders
Thanks OP (Original Poster) you da real MVP
Honestly not pleased that our names were explicitly stated but at least y’all tried to throw some nice comments in there. It’s the effort that counts
Whoever you are I like you a lot
If we’re not already best friends we definitely should be
THANK YOU NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M SAYING!
Thank you for these kind words (whoever you are)
Thank you for not caring enough about us to write demeaning comments via an anonymous app. I’m loving this indifference. I wish more people didn’t care about us
Ty, ty.
Original Poster you’re wonderful, and if we aren’t already friends we absolutely should be
I’m glad that somebody acknowledged that there were at least 50 posts about us. It appears that many people didn’t catch the memo, and thought it was a wonderful idea to continue to Yik Yak about us.
Yes, I was the compass here, so thank you to for the person who told me to ignore the haters. It means a lot.
This is my last post of The Defenders because it really struck me. When I read what this person wrote about his childhood, it made me so sad for him. The fact that he could go through something so egregiously bad and still think that what was happening to me and Kath (something less severe) was harassment meant the world to me.
I don’t know who you are, but I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. But I can tell you that you are clearly an incredibly strong person, and I wish I knew who you were so I could tell you in person how very much I admire you.
FINALLY. Onto the Chainsmokers Yik Yaks. There are a few but they’re very important. Here we go:
Interesting thing going on here. NO. I DO NOT make out with my OWN SISTER. I would rather make out with an inanimate object than with my genetic clone.
Absurd.
TI think Mariah Carey’s, “Why You So Obsessed With Me” would be an excellent choice for you.
Oh my golly you’re right what a missed Insta opportunity!! OH WAIT 😉
Now, I know that I’ve treated these malicious posts with levity (for the most part), it’s important to note that I do this because it’s my way of dealing with it. It’s cathartic.
What I really want to say in the conclusion of this article is that cyber bullying is a real thing with real consequences, not in a punitive sense (for anonymous Yik Yakers) but for the victims of it.
As my sister, Katherine, wrote, cyber bullying has no age limit. Do you know what it’s like to walk around campus, just trying to get to class, not knowing who hates your very existence? Not knowing who thinks that your face is busted, that you’re hideous?
It makes no difference that I’m 20 years old – words hurt as much now as they did in middle school and in high school. I shouldn’t need to show you scars or hospital outpatient paperwork to express how much words hurt. I’ve had my appendix burst for five days straight, I’ve fractured both ankles simultaneously (multiple times), I’ve broken my hand and my foot, and there is no doubt in my mind that the emotional distress and pain that comes from others’ words, which aren’t even tangible, are much more debilitating than are palpable, physical injuries.
If you’ve read this article, I thank you.