What you need to know about using Sidechat

Now that fall semester has officially begun, Case Western Reserve University’s campus is bustling with activity. The crosswalks are densely packed with pedestrians, campus eateries have longer lines and there’s an undeniable energy all around. But student life doesn’t end within the physical confines of campus—it often spills into online platforms, such as Sidechat.

Sidechat, formerly known as YikYak, is a social media platform in which individuals with active university email addresses can join school-specific communities and anonymously post thoughts and reply to others. The platform is well-known among college students, and there is an active CWRU student Sidechat community. However, Sidechat has been the source of controversy on campuses across the country, both for the misinformation that spreads rapidly and for the harassment that has occurred on the anonymous platform.

Though the platform’s CWRU network uses the university’s name and similar colors, Sidechat and its parent company, Flower Avenue Inc., are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Case Western Reserve University, nor does the university post content to this platform. Sidechat is an external, independent social platform—therefore, the university is significantly limited as to what it can do regarding how individuals use the space and the information (and misinformation) shared there.

In some instances, the platform has been used for negative purposes, including harassment and discrimination. Any users who experience or witness abusive, hateful, concerning (e.g., threats of harm to themselves or others) or harassing posts on Sidechat should report them directly in the Sidechat app. You can also email support@sidechat.lol with screenshots of the post(s) and other related content for additional review.

While the platform promotes anonymity, users can still be held accountable for their posts. If a post is concerning or threatening, law enforcement can work with Sidechat to potentially get a user’s name and information.  

Students sometimes (incorrectly) believe they cannot be held responsible for false statements posted on Sidechat, Rachel Lutner, vice president of the Office of Equity and Title IX coordinator, explained. When Sidechat posts potentially violate CWRU’s policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, sex or gender, pregnancy, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, parental status or other protected status, however, the Office of Equity investigates as much as possible, often in partnership with CWRU Police. 

When people making discriminatory or harassing posts can be identified, the Office of Equity follows its processes to achieve accountability. There also can be consequences on campus. If a student violates a CWRU policy on the platform, they can still be held accountable due to the impact it has on the university community.

Members of the community who have been the subject of posts on Sidechat—or any social media platform—also can receive support from the Office of Equity.

Because of the anonymous nature of the platform, the university is typically unable to initiate contact with a student about issues that arise on Sidechat to offer information about the university's reporting, complaint and investigation process. However, students can connect with the Office of Equity themselves for support.

To better equip students to know what to do and where to go if they or a friend needs support, the Office of Equity offers Title IX training to all new and returning students. This year, the training will incorporate a second module about the nondiscrimination policy at CWRU. Learn more about how the Office of Equity can support members of the Case Western Reserve University community.

Ultimately, Lutner encourages students to steer clear of platforms like Sidechat.

“I would tell students not to waste their time on a forum that’s anonymous, which means that there are few barriers to spreading misinformation and real challenges to supporting people who are hurt by the platform,” she said.