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Police warning parents about app leading to threats, arrests

Posted at 1:17 PM, Sep 24, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-24 15:17:57-04

NEW YORK – A new app is making parents and law enforcement concerned for the safety of children.

Yik Yak is a free app that does not require a username or a password.

Once you log onto the app, users can post messages that are visible to anyone within a mile and a half of the posting location.

“Yik Yak is the latest app young people are using that their parents generally don’t know about,” explains Lindy Crescitelli, an anti-bullying advocate with Peace Dynamics.

Officials say bullies have used Yik Yak to torment classmates and write hateful notes to others anonymously.

“[It’s] encouraging young people to feel that they can be cruel without consequences,” Crescitelli said.

A 15-year-old student at Long Island’s Mount Sinai High School posted a bomb threat to Yik Yak, which sent police immediately to the school.

Officers were able to track down the poster and arrested the student.

He was charged with a Class D felony.

Creators of the app say whenever a threat is posted to the site, it immediately begins working with law enforcement agencies in the area to track down the suspect.

Source: KFOR-TV and WPIX