By Rebecca Parnass

Social media is an integral part of our daily lives.  With platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Yik Yak, staying connected has never been so simple. 

What does this mean for a large campus community like the University of Maryland? Does this constant connection foster an environment where students can say whatever they like and without considering the consequences? 

According to the UMD social media guidelines, “The university believes transparency, respectful engagement and free expression are essential.” The problem with the guidelines outlined by the university is that they are not strictly enforced.

College students often find themselves drawn to Yik Yak. According to the official website, Yik Yak is a way to “anonymously connect with everyone at your college.” Yik Yak is a platform similar to X, where you can anonymously post your thoughts about university happenings. 

Apps such as these allow students to connect over shared insights about campus life or ask for tips and tricks about fitting in at school. 

The problem is, when a platform is entirely anonymous, people can say things they wouldn’t say to someone’s face.

“Yik Yak allows people to hide behind their anonymity when they’re writing their posts, which can lead to discriminatory and or vulgar language,” said Greta Fritz, a senior special education major. 

It is also important to consider that Yik Yak can be a fun platform for students to express themselves. 

For Alyssa Dimitrievski, a junior animal sciences major, Yik Yak allows her the opportunity to tap into her artistic side. 

“I made a silly drawing of my cat and posted it, and now everyone wants me to draw their animal,” Dimitrievski said. “It’s so nice to be able to take a little break from studying and homework and just be creative for a few minutes.”

Social media allows people to make hurtful comments, but it also gives them a platform to express themselves. For a college community, especially one as large as UMD, it can be hard to reach people in person. 

“As a transfer student, it can be hard to meet people in person, and social media allowed me to connect with other students before I ever stepped foot on campus,” said Emily Dunne, sophomore animal sciences major. Social media platforms allow us to bridge this divide. 

Students need to learn how to use platforms like Yik Yak for purposeful connection, rather than to create a harmful narrative.