A new and alarming viral challenge on TikTok, known as the 'Chromebook Challenge', has raised concerns in school districts across the United States, following multiple incidents in which students have sparked fires by tampering with school laptops.
The challenge encourages teenagers to insert metal clips, pencils, or other conductive objects into the USB ports of Chromebooks (laptops used for educational purposes), causing short circuits that have resulted in smoke, sparks, and even fire in the classroom.
One of the most serious cases was reported in New Jersey, where, according to NBC News, a 15-year-old student was charged with third-degree arson after intentionally setting a piece of equipment on fire.
The Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland confirmed at least 10 incidents related to the challenge. In Oklahoma, the Mid-Del School District warned that parents will have to cover the replacement costs of the devices, about $274 per unit, in addition to facing potential legal charges.
On the other hand, although no related incidents have been reported in Florida for the moment, the Instagram account Only in Dade posted a video showing a Chromebook smoking in a classroom.
The post generated thousands of reactions. A comment in a Cuban tone reflected the feelings of many parents: “What a way to eat crap! If I were the mother or father, I’d shove it down their throat, and then let them call the police.”
Another user sarcastically remarked, "Students with F grades are the true inventors," while a deeper criticism pointed to the background of technological consumption: "Rare minerals extracted by masses of impoverished people so that some rich kid can use them as an accelerant to set his school on fire."
School authorities and security agencies urge parents and guardians to talk to their children about the responsible use of technology. The consequences of participating in this challenge may include expulsion and criminal charges.
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