Yik Yak is an anonymous gossip app popular with university students, but not, it now seems, the NUS

Yet those opposed to the move say the NUS is moving beyond its powers and is infringing on freedom of speech

Supporters of the decision, made on Tuesday at the union’s annual conference, say it is part of an effort to ensure social media is “safe” during campus elections.

The National Union of Students has voted to heavily restrict anonymous messages on apps such as Yik Yak.

The ‘Safe Social Elections’ motion passed last night, on the first day of the annual event in Brighton, Sussex.

The conference hosts around 800 elected student delegates who vote on motions proposing new policies.

The Safe Social Elections motion said that while social media “does more good than harm” during student elections, the ability for people to set up anonymous accounts meant “racists, sexists, and cyber bullies” were avoiding punishment.

“Anonymous accounts have the ability to shield racists, sexists, and cyber bullies from campus disciplinary procedures,” the motion read.