TikTok Chromebook challenge: California schools warn parents of dangerous trend
TikTok challenge causing Chromebooks to explode
A recent social media prank is causing laptops to blow up.
LOS ANGELES - School districts across Southern California are warning parents about a new TikTok challenge that urges students to intentionally damage their school-issued laptops.
Chromebook Challenge:
The viral TikTok trend called the "Chromebook challenge" encourages students to tamper with charging ports and batteries, and even insert objects like pencil lead or paper clips into ports or electrical outlets.
Doing so can cause sparks, smoke, and in some cases, a fire.
Risks can go beyond property damage even, as officials warn burning electronics can also release toxins into the air.
What they're saying:
"Participating in this challenge is extremely hazardous," the Oxnard Unified School District shared on social media Monday. "It can cause Chromebooks to overheat, catch fire, or in some cases, explode, posing serious risks of injury and property damage."
In Santa Monica, Lincoln Middle School issued a letter to parents warning them of the extremely dangerous trend.
"As a reminder, students and their families are financially responsible for any damage to school-issued Chromebooks. In addition, students involved in damaging school property will face appropriate disciplinary consequences, which may include loss of Chromebook privileges and possible suspension," the letter read in part.
Last week, a student in Long Beach was arrested on suspicion of arson after allegedly inserting a foreign object into a battery charging port into their Chromebook, according to the Long Beach Police Department. It's unclear if the student will face any charges.
In Northern California, a similar incident was reported at a middle school in Roseville.
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"This is dangerous. It could be more threatening than people think," Scott Loehr told KCRA. "You see this harmless challenge, you think, 'On TikTok?' It's not harmless."
Incidents Across US:
Videos of smoking laptops are showing up online from the challenge from different schools around the country, with incidents reported by school districts in multiple states, including Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.
A school district in Texas reported three incidents of students damaging Chromebooks, prompting a warning from the assistant superintendent.
"Any student who intentionally damages district property will be expected to pay for the replacement of the property," CISD Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Parker told KFOX.
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In New Jersey, parents in Morris County received a letter warning parents of the dangerous act.
"We expect our students to make responsible choices and refrain from any behavior that could result in injury, property damage, disciplinary action, or the loss of privileges," David Winston, principal of Lincoln Park Middle School, said in a letter, as reported by NorthJersey.com. "This type of act is considered a form of vandalism and, if a fire results, could be treated as arson."
TikTok Response:
Despite the popularity of the challenge, TikTok appears to be taking the trend seriously.
A search for "Chromebook challenge" in the app results in zero videos, but instead a safety warning and link to view resources.
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"Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated," the message reads.
The backstory:
This isn't the first time a dangerous TikTok challenge has caught on across the U.S.
In 2023, several children were hospitalized due to a challenge that encouraged kids to ingest a spicy gum then try and blow a bubble, despite the gum's heat.
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In 2018, the "Tide Pod challenge" encouraged social media users to swallow laundry pods, and in 2016, the "Cinnamon challenge" urged TikTokers to inhale a spoonful of cinnamon - just to name a few.
The Source: Information for this story from school districts across California, TikTok and previous FOX 11 reports.