On Wednesday 72 women’s and civil rights organizations urged the U.S. Education Department to tell colleges that they must monitor anonymous apps like Yik Yak — frequently the source of sexist and racist comments about named or identifiable students — and do something to protect those students who are named. The groups said they view anonymous online abuse as an emerging issue under provisions of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

For colleges, Yik Yak and similar apps have already led to numerous protests and anger, but some experts question the practicality and legality of administrators doing what the groups want.

Two of these groups, Feminists United on Campus and Feminist Majority Foundation, also filed a specific complaint with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights alleging the University of Mary Washington failed to adequately address harassment and threats against students posted to Yik Yak last year. Representatives from those groups said Wednesday that the OCR informed them it would investigate their allegations.