Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Chromebook challenge

This discussion was subject to a deletion review on 2025 June 6.
For an explanation of the process, see Wikipedia:Deletion review.

The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was redirect‎ to List of Internet challenges#Crime. The policy-based consensus is that the topic is not currently notable for a stand alone article. Preserving a redirect will allow for easy recreation if the event does prove to have lasting coverage. Eddie891 ^Talk _Work 08:27, 30 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Chromebook challenge

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WP:NOTNEWS Laun chba ller 09:58, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Internet-related deletion discussions. Shellwood (talk) 10:08, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Delete per WP:NOTNEWS. If this topic still has coverage in news or scholarly media a year from now (ha!) we can re-create the article. We don't need to index every passing fad (note how every single source is from the past week). WeirdNAnnoyed (talk) 11:00, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
After the dust settles down, this will be remembered similar to the blackout, tide pod, and devious lick challenges and be mentioned time-to-time when talking about challenges. Would say leave it for now, then after the dust settles then we see. 2603:8001:8400:DC34:76E5:4D55:D814:774F (talk) 02:32, 15 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Agree with Anon here. This meme will still be remembered, even after its peak relevancy. It's an example of the crazy things people do for clout, and is far more dangerous and noteworthy than some other internet challenges. The reasons that the 2025 Pakistan-India missle strike has an article, applies here (unless the conflict escalates). Thegoofhere (talk) 19:57, 16 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Military conflicts tend to be constantly written about for a long time after they end, unlike most fads. KnowDeath (talk) 06:31, 22 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: I just want to cite WP:FAME real quick.

But notability is not temporary. What this means is that once a topic has been the subject of "significant coverage" in accordance with the general notability guideline, it does not need to have ongoing coverage, but brief coverage that ceases quickly may not render a subject notable.

Now, this depends on what you define as "brief coverage", but I personally think of it as 3-7 days. I could find coverage of this trend from 3 weeks ago, which is way more than most memes last until they die nowadays. Articles on the subject are still being made, and 2 people have arrested because of it, so it's more unlikely to die out by this time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's an article that abides by Wikipedia rules. Thegoofhere (talk) 00:28, 25 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Furthermore, the challenge has caused a major safety scare across the country, [1] with 3 people confirmed to be hospitalized due to concerns of smoke inhalation. [2]. You can go to the responses section and see all of the recorded incidents we have. Thegoofhere (talk) 03:30, 26 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Users cite WP:NEVENT even though it literally only strengthens the case for this article's existence. ^{Ironic how people cite the policy here but never say the Chromebook Challenge isn't historically significant.} Y'all are literally treating this trend like its just a fad ~~and totally didn't cause evacuations, lectures, panics, hospitalizations, and articles from notable news sources~~. Thegoofhere (talk) 03:45, 27 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: Also, I want everyone, including any closing mods, to remember WP:ATD exists. Deletion or keeping the article is not the only option, as later replies have shown. Also, Brexit

Thegoofhere (talk) 22:45, 22 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Lanch, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to give a reason in your nomination. Ameright?

Also, comitting arson for Tiktok views would still probably be a talking point (but more minor) in 7 months. Thegoofhere (talk) 11:40, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

And it still is, as of now. Thegoofhere (talk) 22:53, 17 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Delete: No evidence this flash in the pan social media fad passes WP:NEVENT; we would need to see WP:SUSTAINED coverage. And WP:NOTNEWS, while not effusive, is a valid deletion rationale since WP:NOT is the second part of the two-part WP:GNG test. Dclemens1971 (talk) 13:25, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Disagree buddy: There is evidence that it passes WP:NEVENT. I quote it for ya.

"Events are also very likely to be notable if they have widespread (national or international) impact"

It has national impact, many American schools have put out messages stating that students must stop doing the trend. Sources from the article show that incidents of the trend have recorded in 15 US states. Plus, a student was charged for arson whilst participating in the challenge. [3][4] You hear that? A charge of ARSON.

It's a trend that promoted crime, has garnered attention from firefighters and schools, covered in various news sources, is popular even after a week, destroyed property, and led to an arrest.

Yeeessss, very unotable.ಠ_ಠ Thegoofhere (talk) 00:27, 17 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

just keep it on bro 166.109.26.101 (talk) 14:04, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

istg there are undocumented terrorists out there and your worried about some stupid article of a true challenge 166.109.26.101 (talk) 14:06, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

And the sky is blue. That has nothing to do with the discussion at hand. Oaktree b (talk) 14:20, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Whataboutism 165.140.214.242 (talk) 14:41, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Still nothing to do with the discussion, there is no point keeping this article on a very likely short-lived fad. Oaktree b (talk) 15:30, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Anon wasn't talking to you, nor disagreeing with you. Thegoofhere (talk) 19:35, 16 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Correct, let's keep the discussion on track. Oaktree b (talk) 12:02, 22 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Delete: I guess we could draft this, but who knows where it will be in six months. This will likely be forgotten... TOOSOON, the articles are less than two weeks old at this point. Oaktree b (talk) 14:21, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
It’s impossible to predict whether this will have lasting effects. Predicting the future is simply impossible and CRYSTAL. We should reconsider deletion 4 months from now. 73.75.170.176 (talk) 00:38, 18 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Delete per WP:TOOSOON as this is most likely to die down within months. This can be merged into Chromebook article. Patre23 (talk) 14:28, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Merge with either List of Internet Phenomena or Chromebook. SchoolChromebookUser (talk) 15:18, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
This is way too trivial to be mentioned at Chromebook anywhere other than its See also section, but I could get on board with redirecting this to List of Internet challenges (which is where List of Internet phenomena#Challenges takes you).--Laun chba ller 15:30, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Went through the List of Internet challenges article, it is mentioned in the crime section and was added back in the 8th of May. A merge could suffice since it is already mentioned. SchoolChromebookUser (talk) 11:48, 15 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
~~I don't think a merge is needed. What criteria does the article not follow, does it need to be reduced to a minor mention?~~ Thegoofhere (talk) 04:15, 17 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I take it back. If the result is "delete" then we should put it on List of Internet challenges. But the article has a lot of information that could be lost if it was put there. Thegoofhere (talk) 11:55, 20 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Delete: Run of the mill internet trend. It’s too early to tell whether this will have any lasting impact. Golem08 (talk) 17:04, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Not opposed to redirecting to the entry at List of Internet challenges. Golem08 (talk) 17:06, 14 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Keep if there's still new coverage after a short period of time. If not. Turn it into a Draft.Thegoofhere (talk) 02:56, 15 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Keep its going to at least get metioned time to time so as the other TikTok trends like devious lick, Tide Pods. and if this don't get coverage in a

couple months then it can be deleted and i doubt it will "die down" after getting covered by the biggest reliable source of wikipedia,The New York Times and based on the page views and Google Search Trend which shows over 100 searches and the related searches are "TikTok Challenge" and for the page views and its getting 28 views per a day because its getting AfD'ed, one of the biggest TikTok challenges blowing up right now and people are confused and don't know what it is because its getting AfD'ed. Momentoftrue (talk) 14:43, 15 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Ditto. Also, its still getting coverage. Most memes die within like, 2 days. To even pass 1 week proves its a noteworthy subject, even if it's not as popular after a couple of days. Thegoofhere (talk) 01:38, 16 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Plus, it's been long enough for most independent articles about the challenge to be secondary Thegoofhere (talk) 22:39, 17 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Delete I'm so sorry, but "trends" like these come and go so quickly; there's a 99% chance this is going to be forgotten by the next month. If it isn't, I stand corrected. However, it is far too soon for a page and shows no signs of continuing notability. If anything, it could be mentioned on Chromebook if this "challenge" lasts longer. jolielover♥talk 07:53, 16 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
@Jolielover. It's probably best to refrain from making speculative comments. Hacked (Talk|Contribs) 03:25, 18 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Delete WP:DOGBITESMAN-type coverage. Not helped by the WP:BLUDGEONING of the article creator here. ~~ AirshipJungleman29 (talk) 09:20, 19 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
People setting their Chromebooks on fire is a routine event that happens all the time? If you're gonna cite a wikipedia policy page, cite one that's relevant. Thegoofhere (talk) 21:12, 20 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Comment – If this article is deleted, do editors feel this is noteworthy for discussion on the main Chromebook article? In other words, should the contents of this page be merged instead? An IP asked about this a few days ago, before this article was created, and I had similar concerns about long-term notability. However, I just looked this topic up and saw that it has indeed indeed seen coverage by NYT, ABC News, and the like. InfiniteNexus (talk) 03:28, 20 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Comment: This is still getting reported in the last few days. See https://news.yahoo.com/chromebook-challenge-trend-students-destroying-180608970.html, https://turnto10.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/fire-marshal-says-students-may-be-criminally-charged-for-dangerous-chromebook-challenge-catastrophic-arson-tiktok-social-media-may-21-2025, and https://mashable.com/article/tiktok-chromebook-challenge-what-is 73.75.170.176 (talk) 13:12, 24 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Keep. I find out about this phenomenon from local coverage of one incident. I came here to get more and found useful context and technical details. Remembering this phenomenon long term seems important as a cautionary tale. -- Beland (talk) 07:39, 20 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Redirect - into the similar Devious lick trend. which both of these trends are very similar. ロドリゲス恭子 (talk) 19:11, 20 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion and clearer consensus.
Relisting comment: The discussion has majority arguments with consensus for delete including per WP:TOOSOON. Whereas, considering latest comments, a call for consensus on whether it should be deleted or be merged, redirected/other per WP:ATD with or without any long-term impact considered.
Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, HilssaMansen19 (talk) 12:43, 21 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Delete or Redirect per WP:NEVENT/WP:NOTNEWS. 🍕BP!🍕 (🔔) 01:19, 26 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Delete per WP:NEVENT and WP:NOTNEWS. Social media fad with no evidence of lasting impact. MidnightMayhem 12:52, 26 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
How about merging to List of Internet challenges? 73.75.170.176 (talk) 17:58, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Keep This article is useful for institutions and electronics manufacturers to warn that insertion of foreign objects into the USB port can be dangerous. After TikTok, some people have posted on YouTube Shorts, which YouTube had to respond with takedowns. Remembering the event can help tech platforms to take down new dangerous challenges. Ahri Boy (talk) 11:16, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Delete per WP:TOOSOON and WP:NOTNEWS. Agnieszka653 (talk) 16:24, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.