Students busted for bizarre TikTok ‘Chromebook Challenge’ to insert objects in laptops

There have been dozens of reports of laptops damaged involving the ‘Chromebook Challenge’ at US schools (Picture: ABC)

Students across the US are partaking in a viral TikTok trend that involves inserting foreign objects into Chromebook laptops, leading to fires and arrests.

The growing ‘Chromebook Challenge’ entails putting a paper clip, pencil lead or other object into the charging or USB port of a laptop often issued from a school, and forcing it to short circuit.

In some instances, the devices have heated up, started smoking and caught on fire.

The phenomenon can be triggered when lithium-ion batteries are tampered with and experience thermal runway, which can cause them to emit toxic fumes, explode or become damaged.

The ion-lithium battery of a laptop can explode if tampered with (Picture: ABC)

Last week, a 13-year-old California girl was arrested for arson in connection with a laptop getting on fire.

Most of the reports of dangerous instances arising from the challenge have come from teachers.

Numerous warnings have been issued as the trend spreads among the youth in America.

There have been at least 15 incidents of students intentionally inserting objects into Chromebooks within the Exeter Region Cooperative School District in New Hampshire.

Schools have issued warnings to students against doing the TikTok trend (Picture: Belleville Fire Department)

‘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,’ stated the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham.

‘Please discuss this issue with your students and reinforce the seriousness of tampering with any school-issued technology.”

The middle school has informed students that any damages to Chromebooks done on purpose will incur replacement fines of up to $320.

Some schools have warned students that they will pay fines for damaging laptops issued to them (Picture: Belleville Fire Department)

In Massachusetts schools, there were 14 incidents tied to the challenge reported in less than a week. State Fire Marshal Jon Davine believes the challenge has been done more times than the number recorded.

‘So far, only one minor injury has been reported but heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in some cases,’ stated Davine.

‘No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.