Wake County and school systems across the US are sending out warnings about a new TikTok challenge that has students setting their laptop computers on fire.
In a message posted May 8 on Wake’s website, the district says some students across the country have been participating in a challenge that involves intentionally damaging school-issued Chromebooks to make them smoke. Wake says some incidents have already been reported in district schools.
“Specifically, students are inserting items such as pencil lead, pushpins, gum wrappers, or paperclips into the Chromebook’s USB port to intentionally short-circuit the device,” Wake said. “This can cause the Chromebook to emit smoke, catch fire, damage electrical outlets, or even electrocute the student.”
Similar messages are being sent by school districts across the US to warn about what’s being called the “Chromebook Challenge”. Schools have dealt with multiple destructive TikTok challenges over the years, including slapping teachers and vandalising school bathrooms.
A bill passed this week by the state House would ban Tiktok from being accessed on school district devices.
Disciplinary action and criminal charges possible
Wake warns that trying to short-circuit a Chromebook is extremely dangerous, poses serious safety risks, and is a direct violation of both school policy and state law.
“Intentionally damaging school property or creating unsafe conditions is a serious offense and may result in disciplinary action at school as well as legal consequences under North Carolina law,” the district said in its message. “Such actions can also lead to criminal charges depending on the severity of the incident and the risk posed to others.”
Some Connecticut schools have had to be evacuated due to smoke filling the classrooms from Chromebooks damaged by students, NBC Connecticut reported.
Wake is asking parents to monitor their children’s use of of their school-issued Chromebook at home and to speak to their children about the risks and consequences of participating in dangerous social media trends.
Schools don’t have money to replace Chromebooks
Wake County, like school districts across the country, issued laptops for students to use at home during the pandemic. Laptops are now used on a regular basis in class and at home.
Schools used federal Covid aid to provide students with Chromebooks and other personal devices. But with the federal Covid dollars gone, a state report shows 82 of 115 school districts and 101 of 221 charter schools/laboratory schools and regional schools can’t afford new devices.
Wake is among the districts that told the state it doesn’t have enough money to replace all its aging devices. According to the state, It would cost US$160mil (RM688.72mil) a year – at US$400 (RM1,721) per device – to enable schools across North Carolina to provide new devices every four years. – The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C./Tribune News Service
