Benjamin Reiner

Annotation
This article discusses an anonymous social media app called After School. It
describes the negative things that go on within this app including cyberbullying. It
also compares After School to Yik Yak a similar app. Though the initial app
thought has good intentions students quickly turn them into devices to cyberbully
and sext online. Though these are explicitly banned on the app they continue to
happen and students are still having feelings harmed.
Discussion Question
What do you think a schools relationship between them and their students on social
media should look like?

Bogart, N. (2015, December 10). Anonymous 'After School' app sparking cyberbullying
concerns in U.S. schools. Retrieved January 26, 2016, from
http://globalnews.ca/news/2392536/anonymous-after-school-app-sparking-cyberbullyingconcerns-in-u-s-schools/

Anonymous After School app sparking cyberbullying concerns in U.S. schools

Yet another teen-oriented anonymous social media app is making headlines in the U.S. as
parents and teachers express concerns over cyberbullying and violent threats.
The app, dubbed After School, has recently exploded in popularity in high schools across
the U.S. Millions of teens have downloaded the app, which allows students to post
anonymous messages to users within their schools community.
Users are encouraged to share confessions, feelings, funny moments, or discuss things
going on within their schools community.
But although the app explicitly states that bullying and threats will not be tolerated, reports
suggest the app has become a hot spot for bullying, sexting and even alleged criminal
activity.
According to a report by The Washington Post, 15-year-old Michigan-area student Mya
Bianchi was forced to change her phone number after it was posted to a forum in the app,
along with instructions to ask her for explicit photos.
At first it was people saying nice things and complimenting others, and then it turned into
bullying, Bianchi told The Washington Post.
The app has drawn comparisons to anonymous messaging app Yik Yak, which garnered a
lot of controversy in Canada earlier this year after the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
(OCDSB) banned the app due to bullying and threats of violence.
READ MORE: What is Yik Yak? The latest app to cause concern at Canadian schools
Just like the After School app, Yik Yak offers anonymous messaging between users based
on the users location. Those using the app are able to see messages from users within the
same area.

Yik Yak which was released in early 2014 was originally marketed towards college and
university students as a hyper-local version of Twitter, but gained more momentum with the
high school crowd.
But the app had its fair share of controversy.
In March 2014, a Massachusetts-area high school was evacuated twice after bomb threats
were posted to Yik Yak. Later that month, an Alabama teen was arrested after saying they
were plotting to shoot someone on the app.
Reports of cyberbullying by people using the app became so rampant multiple Chicagoarea schools issued warnings to parents regarding the app and even prompted Yik Yaks
creators to attempt to prevent it from being used on high school or middle school grounds,
according to the Chicago Tribune.
In an article discussing the bullying problem on Yik Yak, CNN described the app as a virtual
bathroom wall where users post vitriol and hate.
Now After School is facing the same accusations.
While the apps creators did take steps to deter users from participating in bullying on the
platform including noting of its zero-tolerance policy against cyberbullying on its App
Store listing the growing controversy prompted the team to issue more details about its
anti-bullying policy this week.
In a blog published to Medium late Wednesday, the apps creators detailed how it plans to
combat bullying on its platform.
After School is a private social network built to enable communication among high school
students. If you think this sounds like a dangerous concept without any measures of
protection in place, we agree, which is why After School has the most proactive and
aggressive moderation and policies in the industry, read the post, which offered users tips
on how to post within their guidelines
Posts that violate the community guidelines due to bullying will not be viewed by the
schools feed in which it was posted, and the poster may be permanently banned from After
School.

The apps terms of use specifically notes that bullying, objectionable and threatening
content is prohibited.
Global News contacted the company for comment regarding how it plans to combat bullying
on its platform. The company directed us to its blog post on Medium and included a
statement about its vision for the app.
After School allows students an equal voice within their school and gives them a platform
to share their friends and classmates. They are able to share without being judged for their
name, class in school, or other factors, which gives After School a unique opportunity to
help them in ways that would not be possible otherwise, said a spokesperson.
Its important to note the app is not currently available in Canada. Its unclear whether a
Canadian launch is in the works.
When asked whether the apps moderators alert authorities to posts threatening violence,
the company did not comment. However, on its website, the company warns that any posts
threatening violence will prompt investigations with authorities.
Avoid posting about things that hurt people or threaten to hurt people. Bullying has real
consequences. If you or someone you know is being bullied, contact us. Unfortunately, we
live in a world where bombings and school shootings are realities, so avoid posting about
violent acts to the school or students in it. Dont even joke about it because people take it
very seriously. Posts about these things will initiate investigations with the authorities,
reads the website.