Don't participate in TikTok Chromebook challenge, Pittsburgh-area school district warns students
A Pittsburgh-area school district is warning kids not to stick objects in the ports of their Chromebooks, saying the dangerous TikTok trend poses a serious safety hazard.
What is the TikTok Chromebook challenge?
The Carlynton School District superintendent wrote a letter to parents, raising concerns about a trend that encourages students to put foreign objects like pencils into the ports of Chromebooks in an attempt to cause the laptop to produce smoke or catch on fire.
"Please be aware that Chromebooks and similar devices contain lithium-ion batteries, which, when compromised, can reach temperatures exceeding 900°F and produce toxic smoke. Fires involving these batteries are difficult to extinguish and pose a serious safety hazard," Carlynton Superintendent John W. Kreider wrote.
Students could face criminal charges, district warns
Students who tamper with devices will be disciplined and could even be suspended or expelled, Kreider said. Students who try to catch their Chromebooks on fire may even be referred to law enforcement.
In Ohio, a 15-year-old Eastern Heights Middle School student was charged with felony counts of arson and vandalism after police said he tampered with his Chromebook, filling a classroom with smoke, CBS affiliate WOIO reported.
While Kreider says he hasn't received any reports of this happening in the Carlynton School District, he's asking parents to talk to their kids about "the dangers of participating in harmful online trends." Students who see anyone tampering with a device are asked to report it to an adult.
"We strongly urge all students to use their school-issued devices responsibly and to never engage in activities that could endanger their own safety or the safety of others," Kreider said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Indiana man arrested for deadly Chicago stabbing last summer, police say
The Brief Kortland Bryant, 29, of Portage, Indiana, was arrested June 9 for first-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing on Chicago's South Side. The stabbing occurred Aug. 8, 2024, in the 8000 block of South Marshfield Avenue, resulting in the death of a 59-year-old man. Bryant is scheduled for a detention hearing on June 12; no additional details about the case have been released. CHICAGO - An Indiana man was arrested for first-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing last summer on Chicago's South Side, authorities said. What we know Kortland Bryant, 29, of Portage, Indiana, is charged with one felony count of first-degree murder, Chicago police said. He was taken into custody June 9 in the 16500 block of South Kedzie Avenue in Markham after being identified as a suspect in the stabbing, according to CPD. The incident occurred Aug. 8, 2024, in the 8000 block of South Marshfield Avenue. A 59-year-old man died from his injuries, police said. No further details about the stabbing or Bryant's arrest have been released. What's next Bryant is scheduled for a detention hearing on June 12.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Suspect allegedly burglarized South San Francisco home of man fatally shot by police
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - A man was arrested on suspicion of burglarizing the South San Francisco home of a man fatally shot by police and stealing his credit cards. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office said that last month, 36-year-old Richard Vaka broke into the home of Brian Montana on Arroyo Drive, just days after Montana was killed during a police standoff. What we know Prosecutors said Vaka, of Newark, took credit cards from the residence and used them at Lucky Chances Casino. South San Francisco police said Vaka used the credit cards on the same day of the burglary. Authorities said a vehicle was also stolen from the home. Vaka's co-conspirator, 43-year-old Norman Desuma, of Fremont, was also arrested in connection with the crime on theft and fraud charges. Both men were booked into jail on multiple charges. The Source San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, South San Francisco Police Department
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gilbert Police shoot and kill armed man, department says
The Brief The Gilbert Police Department said two of its officers shot and killed an armed man on the night of Wednesday, June 11. The shooting broke out near Lindsay and Guadalupe roads around 6 p.m. GILBERT, Ariz. - Gilbert Police said two officers shot and killed an armed man who was initially found slumped over in his car before the shooting broke out Wednesday night. What we know The June 11 shooting happened around 6 p.m. on June 11 near Lindsay and Guadalupe roads. Gilbert Police Sgt. Lorenzo Teruya said that officers responded to a request for a welfare check on a man who was slumped over inside his car. "When officers arrived, they encountered a single man seated in the driver's seat and attempted to contact him. The driver acknowledged the officers who attempted to have him exit the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, at about 6:04 p.m., the man presented a firearm and an officer-involved shooting occurred," Sgt. Teruya said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. "This was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public," he said. Two officers were involved in the shooting. They were not hurt. What we don't know We don't know the suspect's name or age. What's next The Mesa Police Department will investigate this shooting.
