Things are always changing when it comes to the internet and social media, but that’s not always a good thing. Recently, a dangerous new trend amongst students called “Chromebook Challenge,” has gone viral on the video-sharing app, TikTok. Along with possible injury, students could face legal ramifications of attempting the challenge.
The challenge prompts students to intentionally try to set their computer on fire by inserting foreign objects like paper clips or pencils into the USB port. The Chromebooks, which have lithium-ion batteries, can reach up to 900 degrees fahrenheit when damaged which may result in burns, and can cause a serious fire hazard that produces a toxic smoke.
Dozens of videos have surfaced online on TikTok surrounding the challenge, including one video which has already amassed over 2.6 million views. The video shows a laptop sparking and short-circuiting and then eventually a clip of the computer with a large burn hole.
School districts across the country are encouraging parents to talk with their children about the trend and the serious legal consequences surrounding it. NBC reported a multitude of incidents with the trend have already been investigated in several states, including Wisconsin, and in Elyria, Ohio, a 15-year-old was arrested and is facing felony charges for vandalism and arson for participating in the Chromebook Challenge.
In light of the challenge, a Spokesperson for TikTok told Door County Daily News that the company will be removing content that violates their Dangerous Activities and Challenges policy. They also said app users’ ability to perform searches for the content and related hashtags will be redirected to the Community Guidelines page instead. TikTok’s spokesperson also stated that their communications team is working closely with the National PTA to award over $300,000 in funding to 100 local and regional PTSAs at high school campuses across America to help implement the Create with Kindness program, which aims to inform teens about online safety and creating positive digital boundaries.
