Youths of the world —KI can't believe I have to tell you this — please don't stick metal objects into your laptop until it catches on fire. Yes, this is a real trend on TikTok dubbed the Chromebook challenge.
The challenge has led to actual fires and countless warnings from school officials. Here's what you need to know.
In short: Kids are jamming objects — things like paperclips or pens — into the ports of their (often school-issued) laptops in an effort to get the machines to short-circuit, which can result in sparks or even fire. Laptops have lithium-ion batteries, which can generate toxic gas, fires, or even explosions when damaged and heated too much. And yes, unlike other overhyped challenges, this is does seem like something that is actually happening, at least to some degree.
A report from NBC News documented multiple cases in Maryland, Arizona, and New Jersey, for instance. A 15-year-old student was charged with third degree arson and criminal mischief after doing the Chromebook challenge in school, NJ.com reported. That same piece documented other apparent recent incidents in New York and Connecticut. An article from KBPS noted that at least 16 students in the San Diego Unified School District had damaged school-issued laptops. There have been more than a dozen reports of issues in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In short: It's everywhere.
If you're a parent — this seems obvious — but tell your kid not to jam objects into their school-issued laptop. And if you're a student — this seems even more obvious — don't jam junk into your school-issued laptop, or any electronic device, really.
Of course, kids don't always listen to adults. And doing risky things can be attractive to young people.
“If you’re on social media and you decide you want to be a part of a trend, there’s a feeling of belonging to that, and the risk-taking involved,” Christine Elgersma, a senior editor of content focused on learning and educators at nonprofit Common Sense Media, told Education Week.
TikTok has taken steps to discourage kids from participating in the challenge. TikTok told the New York Timesthat "it removes content that violates its policy on dangerous activities and challengesand is redirecting search terms and hashtags." That proved true for me. I searched "Chromebook challenge" on the platform. It showed no results and instead directed me to resources about the dangers of such social media challenges.
The results I got from TikTok. Credit: Screenshot: TikTok So, yes, the Chromebook challenge is real. And, no, please do not try it.
Ms. Frizzle spotted at Science Marches across the globe
Fighting game community mourns death of Christopher 'NinjaCW' Harris
OnePlus launches online store in India but you can't buy its phones, yet
Ancient site could rival Stonehenge as world's oldest observatory
Ruggable x Jonathan Adler launch: See the new designs
Falling Water on USA: Can your dreams be controlled?
'Black is not a weapon': Celebrities star in stunning PSA against police brutality
These earrings might stop you from losing your Airpods
Three Apps to Combine All Your Messaging Clients Into One
Honor 8 smartphone with dual
As Biden makes final clean energy push, California invests $1 billion in electric vehicle chargers
Miami Heat pay tribute to José Fernández before first home game
Fighting game community mourns death of Christopher 'NinjaCW' Harris
Fighting game community mourns death of Christopher 'NinjaCW' Harris
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics 2024 livestream: Watch live
5 super cool name ideas for future cities on Mars
The Walking Dead teases Season 7 premiere with chilling Facebook game
'Batman' is now chasing creepy clowns in the UK
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online
Sh*tty Jimmy says bye to sh*tty Ronnie at a 'You're The Worst' wake
The internet's new favorite meme involves topDaniel Radcliffe hasn't seen 'The Cursed Child' and probably won'tThe reunion that shocked Nicki Minaj fans on InstagramThis absolutely stunning Oreo art will blow your mindFilipino hunk absolutely slays by strutting in sixYou can finally control YouTube videos playing on a TV from your iPhone's lock screenMIT wearable AI system helps people with Asperger's communicateFacebook ordered to pay $500 million over Oculus VR lawsuit — but still comes out a winnerJohnny Depp apparently spends $2 million a month to live like Johnny DeppTokyo will make its 2020 Olympic medals from recycled smartphonesDaniel Radcliffe hasn't seen 'The Cursed Child' and probably won'tMind reading tech talks to patients with lockedBeyoncé graciously shares even more photos from her pregnancy shootThird grader has no time for your silly homework nonsenseFacebook ordered to pay $500 million over Oculus VR lawsuit — but still comes out a winnerMum makes Prince George sailor outfits so your child can dress like the future kingTeacher's inspirational poem to grade four students is the sweetest thingGod loses verification on Facebook, blames TrumpSamantha Bee compared Donald Trump to Paris Geller from 'Gilmore Girls'God loses verification on Facebook, blames Trump Chinese workplace management app DingTalk eyes overseas expansion: report · TechNode Tencent joins Moonshot AI $300 million funding round, report says · TechNode TSMC begins production of Intel's Lunar Lake processor, Core Ultra 200V series · TechNode Canon Suzhou denies layoff compensation terms amid social media buzz · TechNode Renault to develop cheaper EV batteries with CATL, LG Energy · TechNode Xiaomi and MediaTek announce first joint lab, unveil next China’s Commerce Ministry responds to EV spying allegations against EU · TechNode Huawei reportedly sees $1.4 billion sales from car business · TechNode JD to sell select high JD claims record breaking 618 festival GMV, fails to disclose specific data · TechNode BYD, Chery, and CATL made it onto the 2024 Fortune 500 list · TechNode CATL CEO reveals progress on condensed matter battery for electric plane · TechNode General Motors’ China joint venture launches Tesla China’s local governments consider purchasing Tesla cars for the first time: report · TechNode Google's Tensor G5 processor to enter tape TuSimple to produce animation and game based on Three Alibaba leads cloud service market in China in Q1 · TechNode Chinese online retailers may face import duty in the EU · TechNode Xiaohongshu gets funding from former Facebook investor DST Global · TechNode Tesla’s second