Are kids destroying laptops just for fun? Unfortunately, yes, and it could cost parents.
A new viral TikTok trend began earlier this week when a user shared a video in which they use paper clips or mechanical pencils and stick the lead into the USB port of a Chromebook, which causes the computer to smoke.
Students who have participated in the trend have quickly learned that not only does the computer smoke, in some cases it has caught fire, causing school evacuations around the country.
What is happening with the Chromebook Challenge on TikTok?
The trend involves frying school-issued laptops. So students are not always destroying their personal computers; they are destroying school property.
Intentionally damaging a school-issued device, however, is against most school policies and will result in a fine to replace the device. One Indiana School district, for example, told parents they’d be charged $380 to replace devices.
Parents, be sure to talk to your student about not setting things on fire — especially school-issued laptops — to keep everyone at school safe and to avoid an unnecessary fine.
Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: ‘Chromebook challenge’ on TikTok has led to destroyed computers