Loudoun County schools are warning parents about a TikTok trend called the “Chromebook Challenge.” It reportedly encourages students to intentionally damage their school-issued laptops. Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland is also warning of the trend.
Students are reportedly jamming lead or metal into their laptops’ charging ports, USB ports, and batteries. This causes the devices to short out or even catch fire.
LCPS issued a statement on May 7 to alert parents, saying that its Department of Digital Innovation has seen a “significant increase” in damaged student devices. The message asked parents to speak with their students about the challenge, noting that it poses a “significant safety hazard and possible damage to school property.” Families will be responsible for the cost of the damages, it said.
“Not only does this challenge contain the risk of fire or injury, but families will incur costs for damage to their assigned devices,” the message said. “These challenges often seen like harmless pranks or jokes to students, however, the consequences are quite real.”
Other school systems around the country are reporting similar issues. Some Connecticut schools evacuated students because laptops were smoking, according to NBC4 New York.
A TikTok search for the term “Chromebook Challenge” now reveals a message warning users that “some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing, or event fabricated.” It offers resources on how to recognize harmful challenges.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
