The Lambton Kent District School board is investigating a new social networking app after reports of cyber bullying in local schools.
The app "Yik Yak" allows for anonymous posts from users to be seen by anyone in a 10-mile radius. Officials now say students are using it to initiate written attacks on others.
LKDSB Student Trustee Reidun Garapick says the app first became popular last Wednesday. "Within probably 20 minutes it had blown up completely... it was very prevalent for a good week or so."
Garapick adds students are actually now defending victims on the same application. "Once the app got such a negative reputation, people were joining simply to post positive comments to help balance it out."
Director of Education Jim Costello says they're working with the app creators to "geofence" local schools, which would block students from using the app on school property. He adds if they find enough evidence of cyber bullying, administration can involve police in investigations.