Threats posted via Yik Yak anonymous chat app force closure of two Californian schools
Two Californian schools were locked down as the result of threats posted via anonymous chat app Yik Yak this week.
Yik Yak has come under heavy scrutiny as a result of the threats
The service, which allows mobile users within a radius of 1.5 miles to communicate anonymously, was used to menace the wellbeing of the kids and threaten attacks which never emerged.
A vague threat towards Mira Costa High School near Los Angeles shut the campus for two days after it was issued on Monday, according to Reuters.
The offending comment was: “If you go to Costa you should watch out very closely at school today,” but after the police shutdown of the school, another comment said: "Nice try costa, today was just a drill.”
A girl was questioned by police in connection to the messages on Thursday. Following this, a similar threat was posted to Torrey Pines High School which also forced the closure of the school.
The school issued a comment in response to the threat: “On the morning of Thursday, November 20, 2014 Torrey Pines High School administration was made aware of an anonymous threat that was posted online.
“In consultation with the San Diego Police Department, the school was placed in lockdown status as a safety precaution. District and school staff are working closely with the San Diego Police Department to ensure the safety of everyone on campus and to investigate the source and credibility of the threat.
“We ask that parents do not come to or call the campus unless directed to do so as this distracts law enforcement and school staff from ensuring the security of the campus."
This comes after the app’s developers said they were looking to restrict the use of the service near all US schools to cut out bullying in September.