Authorities are urging parents and school staff to take immediate action in educating students about the dangers of viral social media trends like the “Chromebook Challenge.” This reckless trend, which involves inserting conductive objects into laptop charging ports to cause short circuits, has led to fires, injuries, and criminal charges.
“This is dangerous. It could be more threatening than people think,” warned Scott Loehr, superintendent of the Center Joint Unified School District in California, where a student’s Chromebook emitted smoke after being tampered with. “You see this harmless challenge, you think, ‘On TikTok?’ It’s not harmless.”
In Maryland, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reported multiple incidents of students inserting pencils and metal objects into Chromebooks, leading to sparks, smoke, and even battery ignitions. “These incidents have resulted in sparks and smoke, with some cases leading to battery ignition due to thermal runaway, prompting emergency evacuations and disciplinary actions,” officials stated.
The consequences extend beyond property damage. In Elyria, Ohio, a 15-year-old faces felony arson and vandalism charges after a tampered Chromebook caught fire, burning part of a classroom floor. “This behavior is not only reckless but [also] criminal,” said Elyria Police Chief Jim Welsh. Meanwhile, a Connecticut student was hospitalized after scissors inserted into a laptop caused smoke inhalation, followed by juvenile court charges.
TikTok has since restricted searches for the “Chromebook Challenge,” displaying only a warning about online dangers and safety resources. However, experts emphasize that proactive measures are necessary. Schools must enforce disciplinary policies, while parents should foster discussions about responsible technology use. “It’s not all fun and games. It is a very serious thing that could cause some very significant damage or injury,” Loehr stressed.
Transcript Excerpts from Original Article:
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“I was two rooms away from the room with the challenge. I heard screaming,” – Tristan Peeples, 12.
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“You’re dummies and doing stuff that is not safe,” – Tristan Peeples.
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“I heard that people in my school were going around and putting lead into their laptops. I was like, ‘OK, well, that’s stupid,'” – Serena Peeples.