School and safety officials across the country are warning parents of a dangerous new TikTok trend that sees students damaging their school-issued laptops by deliberately trying to short-circuit the machines’ internal circuits.
Participants in the “Chromebook Challenge,” also called the “Chromebook Smoke Challenge” or “Chromebook Durability Test,” record themselves jamming conductive objects such as paper clips, pushpins, aluminum foil and mechanical pencils into laptop charging and USB ports. The resulting short-circuit causes the battery to overheat, potentially leading to fires or explosions and releasing toxic and flammable vapors.
Schools have already reported fire damage to computers and electrical outlets, as well as triggered fire alarms. A Connecticut high school had to be evacuated this week following a laptop fire believed to have resulted from the trend. Some kids have been suspended for participating. A 15-year-old high school student in New Jersey has been charged with third degree arson and criminal mischief.
Why are the students doing it? Motivations may vary, but a common one appears to be avoiding school responsibilities. “Anything but work,” one student captions a TikTok video, as smoke wafts from a port on the side of a laptop and peers snicker in the background. In another video, a student seeks advice: “Which port should I use, HDMI or USB?”
“What may seem like a ‘fun experiment’ online can quickly turn into something much more serious,” a fire station in Milford, Pennsylvania — one of many fire departments cautioning the public of the trend’s dangers — wrote in a Facebook alert. The station warned that the action can lead to electrical shock or fire and permanent damage to costly equipment, not to mention disciplinary actions at school and legal consequences.
In a world where smartphones and social media shape how kids interact and connect, online fads can gain traction almost instantly. Many are harmless and creative, but others, like “bone-smashing” and jumping from moving boats, carry significant risks. The Milford fire department urges parents to talk to their kids about online trends and peer pressure, which can feel enormous, according to studies. “Remind them that school devices are tools for learning, not toys for social media stunts,” the alert says.
Erin Rennick White, executive director of technology for the Mid-Del School District in Oklahoma echoed the idea that social media can have harmful fallout. “Acts driven by online trends can have real-life consequences far beyond likes or views on social media,” White wrote in an open letter to district families posted to Facebook. White says families of kids who intentionally damage their Chromebooks will be required to pay the full $274 replacement cost.
How Is TikTok Reacting?
TikTok is removing content that violates its Dangerous Activities and Challenges policy, a spokesperson said over email. The platform is also making it harder to find footage of the trend in action — a search for “Chromebook Challenge” leads not to videos, but to a warning. “Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated,” it says. “Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being.” The advisory includes a link to resources on online challenges and tips for pausing to learn more about them before jumping in.
“Is it safe? Is it harmful? Is it real? If you’re unsure, check with an adult or friends, or look for more information from authoritative sources online,” the urges. “If it’s risky or harmful, or you’re not sure if it is, don’t do it. It’s not worth putting yourself or others at risk.”
