Schools, authorities sound alarm over 'Chromebook Challenge' TikTok trend
A growing TikTok trend challenging users to insert hazardous objects into laptops, with some sparking fires or resulting in evacuations, has school districts and fire departments across multiple states sounding the alarm to parents, students and the general public.
In a May 8 letter shared with "Good Morning America," parents and students at Cooperative Middle School in Stratham, New Hampshire, were warned about the trend, which some have nicknamed the "Chromebook Challenge," referencing the laptop brand many schools issue for student use.
According to the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, the letter was sent by Cooperative Middle School Principal Drew Bairstow. Similar letters were sent to parents and students at other schools across the district.
"In the past three days alone, the [Exeter Region Cooperative School District] has seen at least 15 incidents where students have intentionally inserted conductive objects -- such as lead from mechanical pencils, paperclips or push pins -- into the charging and/or usb ports of their Chromebooks," the letter read in part. "This has resulted in devices overheating and becoming completely unusable. This action voids the warranties on devices."
School staff warned that students who are caught participating in the challenge would face a financial penalty but also warned that doing so could put lives and the health of students and staff at risk.
"This is not only a matter of property damage -- these actions present a serious toxic smoke and fire hazard, both at school and at home," the letter continued.
At Belleville High School in New Jersey, a student tried the "Chromebook Challenge" out of curiosity, leading to a Chromebook lithium-ion battery to swell up and start smoking inside a classroom on May 8, according to Belleville Fire Department Capt. Chase Hamilton.
"They gave it a try, and sure enough, it worked. The battery swelled up. It got hot," Hamilton, an investigator with Belleville's arson investigation unit, told "GMA." "The odor was very heavy when I made my way into the school to do the investigation."
Hamilton said lithium-ion batteries that are tampered with can experience an issue called thermal runaway, where batteries go into failure, become damaged, explode, catch fire or expel toxic fumes.
"Any kind of smoke is really no good for you. But, this specific kind of thing is definitely not something that you want to be breathing in," Hamilton continued.
Hamilton said no injuries were reported in the Belleville High School incident, but he said he hoped the event would still serve as a warning for students and parents.
"We're talking something that could seriously injure people," he said. "These batteries can be extremely unsafe when mistreated … someone very easily could get hurt."
When reached by ABC News, TikTok said it has removed content that violates its "Dangerous Activities and Challenges policy," and a search for "Chromebook Challenge" currently redirects users to a safety message that reads, "Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing, or even fabricated. Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being," along with a link to a resource page with additional information.
