Marian Catholic High School leaders are warning parents about a social media app that has been linked to depression - and even suicide - among teenagers.

The app, called Yik Yak, was shut down five years ago after criticism over facilitating cyberbullying, threats and other inappropriate messages. It was relaunched in August.

“We actually found out about Yik Yak’s return from other districts in Schuylkill County, making us aware that it had returned,” said Michael Brennan, Marian’s head of school. “I then researched and saw all the problems it caused with depression and even suicide of teens and college-age students back when the app was shut down in 2017.”

In a recent letter sent to parents and guardians, Brennan says the app, which has a logo of a cartoon buffalo on a teal background, is dangerous because it serves as an anonymous message board within a 5-mile radius.

“Individuals can post whatever they please about anyone on the app, without having their name attached to the message. Many times these are hurtful, negative and derogatory statements that can cause great harm to the victim who reads them, causing depression and even suicide in the worst instances. This app is already being seen as a cause of stress and depression in our neighboring communities,” he writes.

Brennan explained that some teachers at the Rush Township school alerted parents to the app through OneCall, the district’s automated emergency phone notification system.

“But ultimately we do not have the ability to screen every student’s cellphone, which is why we wanted to make sure all of our families are aware and proactive in learning about the potential dangers of Yik Yak,” he said of the reason for the letter.

The school encouraged parents to take the app seriously and to discuss it with their children.

After all, he said, the school has worked diligently on mental health this year. He noted that Nicole Dunn was hired as the director of Student Support Services, which offers individual counseling and college readiness for students.

The school added the Aquinas program for students who have special education needs. In addition, Brennan said the school has the Aevidum group, part of a national organization focused on mental health and suicide awareness. The group, led by Dunn, encourages students to speak up about depression and other issues they are facing, knowing that they are not alone in feeling pressure, Brennan said.

At the Tamaqua Area School District, Superintendent Raymond Kinder said the district hasn’t had any issues with the app but officials are aware of its detrimental possibilities.

“While to this point, not specifically mentioning the app, we continue to encourage close monitoring of social media platforms by parents to ensure they are being used appropriately,” Kinder said.

Northern Lehigh School District Superintendent Matthew J. Link also reported, “We have not received any recent feedback or concerns about this app, as of yet.”

Kinder added, “The dangers of school-aged children receiving unsolicited feedback from hundreds, if not thousands, of others is well-documented. If these types of platforms go unchecked, the likelihood of damaging effects is almost assured.”