Another dangerous TikTok challenge has prompted urgent warnings from school districts and law enforcement agencies nationwide, and led to a 15-year-old New Jersey student being charged with arson.
The challenge, known as the “Chromebook Challenge,” involves teens jamming objects like paper clips and pencils into the USB port of the laptop, causing them to short-circuit and, in some cases, catch fire.
Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland said they have had up to 10 reported incidents, according to NBC Washington.
“In addition to posing serious safety hazards, these actions can lead to costly repairs and disciplinary consequences,” the district said in a statement. “We have seen a few incidents related to the Chromebook challenge in our district.”
The district said it has “informed our community about the risks.”
Other school districts have issued similar warnings.
“This ‘challenge’ is reckless, dangerous, and has no place in our schools or homes,” the Scranton School District in Pennsylvania said in a Facebook post on Thursday. “There are reports from other districts who have had first-hand experiences with this trend which have led to evacuations and property damage. Let me be clear; we are taking this very seriously, and I am asking that parents/guardians work together to keep our students and our buildings safe.”
The Jefferson-Morgan School District in Pennsylvania said it has not had any incidents but wanted to make parents aware of the challenge “so we can work together to prevent it.”
“We ask for your support in talking with your child about the dangers of these types of social media challenges and the importance of using school technology responsibly,” the district said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The district said students who participate in it will face disciplinary action “to the fullest extent outlined in our student handbook,” which could include expulsion from school.
In Oklahoma, Mid-Del Schools said the family of any student who participates in the challenge would be responsible for the $274 it costs to replace a damaged Chromebook. The student could also face “serious disciplinary consequences,” the district said in a letter to the school community on Thursday.
Hardin Junior High in Texas wrote on Facebook: “Please speak to your student(s) about this potential safety hazard and possible damage to HISD property. There are heavy consequences for any student attempting this. Families will incur costs for damages. The district can also seek possible legal action.”
Law enforcement agencies across the nation have also warned parents of the dangers of the challenge.
“We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts,” Maryland’s acting state fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in a statement.
Authorities have documented multiple incidents that prompted emergency evacuations and disciplinary actions at schools across the state.
“It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices,” Mowbray said.
Disciplinary and criminal investigations are currently underway at two Arizona schools.
Bullhead City Middle School was briefly evacuated Thursday after a Chromebook started smoking and burning internally during class. The Bullhead City School District said in a Facebook post that the fire department and police “collected evidence” that shows the incident was connected to the TikTok challenge.
The laptop was destroyed, and the desk it was sitting on was heavily damaged, the district said. The classroom where it happened could not be used for several hours because of the smell of burned metal and plastic.
Six other Chromebooks were vandalized at Fox Creek Junior High School, according to the district.
The students involved face possible disciplinary action and criminal charges, the Facebook post states.
In New Jersey, a 15-year-old Belleville High School student was charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief after allegedly setting a Chromebook on fire, NJ.com reported. The incident prompted an evacuation of the school.
The warnings come days after teenagers in Virginia said they were recording a ding-dong ditch prank for a TikTok video when a homeowner opened fire, killing an 18-year-old boy.
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