Jump to content

Chromebook challenge

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Chromebook Challenge is a 2025 TikTok trend where students intentionally insert conductive, often metallic, objects like paper clips and pencil lead into their school Chromebooks USB port.[1] Doing so would cause the Chromebook to short circuit and sometimes spark, smoke, or even catch on fire.[2][3] The challenge is typically meant to create a reason for a class to evacuate, thus making participants have to miss out on class, or simply get online attention.[4] "The F students are the inventors" is a popular phrase associated with the trend.

Dangers

[edit]

Sticking foreign objects into a Chromebook can burn a lithium battery causing the Chromebook to catch on fire and release toxic smoke into the air.[5][1]

Responses

[edit]

Prince George's County Public Schools, of whom had 10 reported incidents, put out a statement saying that the trend could pose a serious hazard, while also noting that they will "monitor" the trend.[6]

TikTok would even step in by blocking search results for the #ChromebookChallenge. Despite these measures, many American schools across various states have reported incidents of people trying the challenge.[7] In May 2025, a 15-year-old teenager from Belleville High School was charged with third degree arson for participating in the trend. Staff members and students were evacuated after a staff member reportedly spotted a smoking computer.[8][9]

According to some TikTokers, kids who participate in the trend are sometimes lectured, fined, or suspended from school.[4]

Reported Incidents and Actions by State
State Reported Incidents / Actions
California Multiple school Chromebook fires/smoke (e.g. Long Beach arson, Roseville fire); districts warned parents.[10] One arson arrest.[11]
Colorado Denver: 30+ attempts (DPS); Colorado Springs: 16 incidents; Boulder: 6 fires.[9]
Connecticut 4 schools evacuated after laptop fires (Newington, Cromwell, Derby, Southington); 1 student hospitalized and charged.[12]
Florida Mt. Dora Middle School evacuated; Lake & Osceola County schools warned parents of expulsion/charges.[13]
Georgia At least 3 schools evacuated; 1 student hospitalized.[14]
Maryland ~10 incidents (Prince George’s County); parents warned of costs and discipline.[15]
Minnesota No reported injuries; Osseo Schools warned families (pay for damage); state fire marshal warned of toxic fumes.[16]
New Jersey 1 school fire (Belleville HS, charred Chromebook) with arson arrest; many districts sent warnings.[8]
New York East Fishkill alerted police (incident reported in CT context); Medford (NJ) and other districts warned.[17]
Pennsylvania Schools (e.g. Wallingford-PA) warned parents; no local incidents yet.[18]
Rhode Island Providence PD warned criminal charges possible; no local school fires reported.[19]
Texas Hays CISD: 5 Chromebooks destroyed across 3 campuses; superintendent warned of repair bills.[20]
Virginia Loudoun Co. reported many device repairs (no injuries); school letters to parents.[21]
Wisconsin Oconto (WI) warned families of fire risk; no incidents reported.[22] Ditto with Kenosha Unified School District.[23]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Faulk, Leanna (May 7, 2025). "Cumberland police warn parents about dangerous 'Chromebook Challenge'". NBC WJAR. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  2. ^ Burke, Minyvonne Burke (May 9, 2025). "TikTok prank 'Chromebook Challenge' prompts warnings from schools after laptops are intentionally set on fire". NBC News. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  3. ^ "Chromebook social media challenge can lead to fires, Maryland Fire Marshal warns". CBS News. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Canela, Annabelle (May 7, 2024). "The TikTok Trend That Has Kids Setting Their School Laptops On Fire During Class". Yahoo Lifestyle. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  5. ^ Littlechild, Chris (May 8, 2025). "WHY ARE STUDENTS PUSHING PENCIL LEAD INTO CHROMEBOOKS?". Slashgear. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Spencer, Darcy (May 8, 2025). "Chromebook challenge has school laptops smoking, catching fire". NBC Washington. NBC. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  7. ^ Garcia, Karen (May 12, 2025). "Long Beach student arrested on suspicion of arson, participating in viral 'Chromebook challenge'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Due, Lauren (May 9, 2025). "Police: Belleville High School student charged with arson following TikTok trend". News12. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Alvarez, Alayna (May 9, 2025). "Colorado students are setting Chromebooks on fire thanks to TikTok trend". Axios. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  10. ^ "Ventura County school district warns about 'dangerous' TikTok Chromebook challenge". FOX 11 Los Angeles. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  11. ^ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-12/long-beach-student-arrested-arson-for-chromebook-challenge
  12. ^ "Dangerous TikTok trend has students forcing paper clips, pushpins into Chromebook devices". WFSB. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  13. ^ "TikTok Chromebook Challenge sparks Florida school warnings". FOX 35 Orlando. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  14. ^ "Dangerous TikTok Trend Involving Chromebooks". Barrow County School System. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  15. ^ "TikTok's 'Chromebook Challenge' Sparks School Laptop Fires In US, Prompting Safety Concerns". NDTV.com. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  16. ^ "Viral TikTok "Chromebook Challenge" has metro school district warning parents". CBS Minnesota. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  17. ^ "Dangerous viral trend has students setting laptops on fire, prompting school evacuations". Hindustan Times. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "What is Chromebook Challenge? Schools alerting parents to dangerous TikTok trend". FOX 29 Philadelphia. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  19. ^ "Dangerous viral trend has students setting laptops on fire, prompting school evacuations". Hindustan Times. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  20. ^ "Hays CISD Chromebooks damaged due to TikTok challenge". CBS Austin. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  21. ^ "TikTok's 'Chromebook Challenge' Sparks School Laptop Fires In US, Prompting Safety Concerns". NDTV.com. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  22. ^ "Oconto School District officials warning families about dangerous 'Chromebook Challenge'". FOX 11. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  23. ^ https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2025/05/12/kusd-warns-parents-about-tiktok-challenge-encouraging-chromebook-destruction/
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chromebook_challenge&oldid=1290484442"