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As the sun rose over the University of California, Los Angeles, the echo of sirens filled the air. The anonymous app Sidechat brimmed with student inquiries and live updates. "Is everyone ok? I just heard like 8 cop cars go by," one concerned message read. The platform buzzed with speculation over police action and alleged outside provocateurs, directing peers towards live streams of the unfolding events.
Amid recent escalations in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and corresponding law enforcement reactions, Sidechat has emerged as a digital agora for college students. Its cloak of anonymity empowers users to speak candidly, sharing opinions and news in a manner often shunned on more public platforms. Yet, this very feature has sparked controversy, as college officials point to a rise in divisive and hateful expressions within these digital walls.
Sidechat's Campus Inception
Introduced to the digital world in 2022, Sidechat presented itself as a sanctuary for authentic campus dialogue. Entrance to this exclusive circle requires a university email, fostering a community that echoes the early days of Facebook's .edu-centric network. Yet, its journey has not been without turbulence, leading to the app's prohibition on numerous campuses due to concerns over cyberbullying and harassment. In a notable move, Sidechat expanded its domain in 2023 by acquiring its predecessor Yik Yak, while Fizz, another contender in the anonymous app space, has also carved out its niche in the collegiate landscape.
Fear, frustration and tension as protests mount
A CBS News analysis of Sidechat dialogues from quintessential universities caught in the midst of pro-Palestinian protests—Columbia, Harvard, the University of Texas at Austin, UCLA, and New York University—reveals a complex tapestry of student sentiment. Some messages serve as clarion calls to join the demonstrations, while others voice discontent over the resultant disruptions to academic life.
At Columbia, a collective feeling of resentment brewed against the institution's decision to summon NYPD to disband a protest encampment, with a viral video capturing a protester's fall sparking allegations of police heavy-handedness. As finals loomed, a UT Austin Sidechat post encapsulated the mood: "This is all very distracting for people and I think everyone deserves a curve on their finals."
Allegations of hate on the platform
Sidechat's shield of anonymity, while fostering open discourse, has opened the floodgates to less savory interactions. College officials and legislators alike have criticized the app for enabling bullying and harassment. The platform found itself at the center of a House Committee on Education and the Workforce investigation into universities' responses to alleged antisemitic occurrences.
Columbia's President Minouche Shafik labeled the app "poisonous" in a hearing, denouncing the toxic social media banter that often flies under the radar. A legal complaint from Columbia detailed how Sidechat was weaponized to target a Jewish student. Harvard, responding to its own unsettling experiences, has prompted Sidechat to bolster content moderation to uphold community standards.
While Sidechat's co-founder, Sebastian Gil, remained silent on the request for an interview, he previously assured that a dedicated team is in place to curate the digital conversation, ensuring the app remains a space free from threats and profanity.
Jui Sarwate contributed to this report.
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