Schools and law enforcement nationwide are alerting families to a hazardous TikTok trend, dubbed the "Chromebook Challenge," where students intentionally harm school-issued laptops. This trend involves inserting objects into the USB ports, which can cause the devices to short-circuit, emit smoke, and even ignite.
Numerous incidents have been reported across the country. In some cases, schools have been evacuated, and students have faced criminal charges. For instance, a 15-year-old in New Jersey was charged with arson after a laptop fire forced a school evacuation. In Arizona, incidents at multiple Bullhead City schools led to laptop damage and an evacuation, with evidence pointing to the TikTok challenge. Beyond that, the San Diego Unified School District has reported 16 damaged Chromebooks, incurring over $7,000 in replacement costs. Similarly, the Colorado Springs Fire Department has documented at least 16 local occurrences, with some students directed to a youth firesetter intervention program.
Officials are emphasizing the severe dangers of this trend, including fire, potential injuries, and the release of toxic fumes from damaged batteries. They're urging parents to discuss these risks with their children, highlighting that families might be liable for repair costs and students could face disciplinary action or legal repercussions. In response, TikTok has taken action by removing content that promotes such harmful activities and displaying safety warnings for related searches.