At GCSU, students are not just talking in classrooms, residence halls or dining spaces. A lot of the conversation is happening on YikYak, where nobody has a name, but everyone has an opinion.

The app is a location-based, anonymous social media platform where users can post short messages to people nearby. There are no profiles, no usernames, and, as many students describe it, “no strings attached.” That anonymity has turned it into one of the most unpredictable corners of campus life, where jokes, complaints, rumors and the occasional positive post all fight for attention.

For many students, that freedom is exactly the problem.

“I feel like the whole point of it is just to make fun of people in certain groups or organizations,” said Scarlett Jackson, a freshman chemistry major. “It’s just not really my vibe.”

She said the humor on the app can come at the expense of students who are simply trying to enjoy their college experience.

“I think it’s a bit unnecessary because I feel like college is hard as is, so we don’t need an app that’s literally just made for bullying people,” Jackson said.

Greek organizations, student clubs, professors and even individuals walking across campus can become the subject of these posts. Since identities are hidden, users can say almost anything without facing consequences, and can change how people behave online compared to real life.

“I did have a buddy of mine show me someone who had a picture taken of them, and they were being made fun of in the picture,” said Lucas Fernandes, a sophomore finance major. “It’s just not right.”

Still, students admit the app is hard to ignore. Many say they open it out of curiosity, even when they know the content might be negative. It becomes a digital habit, refreshing it just to see what people are saying next.

But not everything on YikYak is harsh commentary or campus drama. Some posts try to be helpful, lighthearted or even encouraging.

“I think it can be used for good and bad,” said Robert Keck, a freshman business management major. “Unfortunately, recently, I’ve seen a lot of bad things, so that’s kind of straying me away from it.”

Keck said he has seen students use the platform to share class recommendations, supportive messages and even small daily updates.

“Sometimes people will share positive messages or post certain teachers that may be good to take,” Keck said. “I’ve also seen posts of daily Bible quotes or the weather that day and it’s just like, keep doing what you’re doing.”

Posts spread quickly, and because there is no accountability, rumors and jokes can escalate fast. What might start as a passing comment can turn into a campus-wide conversation within minutes.

That mix of humor and honesty is what keeps students coming back. Many say they recognize the negativity but still scroll, caught between entertainment and unease.

In a campus environment where reputation and relationships matter, YikYak has created a space where nothing is filtered and everything is fair game. Students can say what they want, when they want, without their name attached. For some, that is the appeal. For others, it is exactly the problem.

As GCSU students keep using the app around campus, YikYak still shows both sides of anonymous communication, influencing what people talk about while leaving it up to users to think about the impact of posting without a name attached.