Dangerous 'Chromebook Challenge' Across US Schools Sparks Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A dangerous trend has emerged on social media platforms, including TikTok, called the "Chromebook challenge," in which students intentionally try to set their laptops on fire.
Why It Matters
TikTok trends typically involve dances and filters, but sometimes, dangerous challenges emerge on the platform, as people can gamble with pranks and stunts in the name of going viral.
Previous years have seen users swerving their cars as they follow instructions from the "Cha Cha Slide" and the so-called Benadryl challenge, which encouraged TikTok users to take excessive amounts of the medication to try to experience a high that could cause hallucinations, leading to the Food and Drug Administration asking TikTok to remove the videos.
What To Know
The "Chromebook Challenge" involves school students inserting items like paper clips or pencils into the USB port of their Chromebook laptop. This causes the Chromebooks to short-circuit, leaving them sparking, smoking or catching on fire.
Sticking a foreign object into a Chromebook can burn a lithium battery, causing the computer to catch on fire and release toxic smoke into the air.
The challenge is associated with the phrase and audio "The F Students are the inventors." Students often use it to create a reason for the class to have to evacuate, meaning they miss school, or to get attention online.
File photo of Chromebooks at Newfield Elementary School in Stamford, Connecticut, on August 31, 2020.
File photo of Chromebooks at Newfield Elementary School in Stamford, Connecticut, on August 31, 2020.One TikTok video, viewed 2.6 million times as of reporting, shows a charred Chromebook with a hole in it, with the text overlay "TS ain't even a Chromebook anymore," and the caption "Get me out of this school."
The trend has impacted school districts all over the country, with reports of incidents in Colorado, New York, Connecticut, California, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.
Some school districts have had multiple reports of incidents related to the challenge, with the Prince George's County Public Schools district in Maryland confirming it has up to 10 reported incidents, per NBC Washington.
A spokesperson for TikTok told Newsweek that they are removing videos, limiting search ability and redirecting searches. As of this reporting, the term "Chromebook Challenge" redirects to a safety warning on TikTok.
Other school districts are issuing preliminary warnings about potential participation in the challenge despite no reported incidents.
What People Are Saying
A safety warning on TikTok that's generated when you search for Chromebook Challenge: "This phrase may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines. Promoting a safe and positive experience is TikTok's top priority."
Maryland's Office of the State Fire Marshal, in a statement shared on Facebook on Friday: "The Office of the State Fire Marshal is alerting the public to a concerning new trend circulating on social media. Students insert electrically conductive objects into the charging ports of school-issued and personal electronic devices. This reckless behavior has been linked to several incidents resulting in fires, smoke, and property damage."
The Jefferson-Morgan School District, in a statement shared on Facebook on May 8: "A dangerous and disturbing social media trend that has been reported in school districts across the country. While we have not had any incidents here at Jefferson-Morgan, we believe it is important to make families aware so we can work together to prevent it.
What Happens Next
Students participating in the challenge could face serious disciplinary action.
A teenager from Belleville High School in New Jersey was charged with third-degree arson for participating in the trend, and there are reports that a student in Plainville, Connecticut, is facing charges, according to news station KWTX.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration
US immigration agents detained and later allowed the "voluntary departure" of the world's most-followed TikToker, Khaby Lame, after he "overstayed" his visa, authorities said Saturday. "US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations," the agency said in a statement to AFP. Lame entered the United States on April 30 and "overstayed the terms of his visa," the statement said of the Friday detention, adding that he was released the same day. The Italian national, who is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has a following of more than 162 million on TikTok, "has since departed the US." Lame had not immediately posted publicly about the incident as of Saturday afternoon. Since taking power in January, US President Donald Trump has delivered on campaign promises to tighten immigration controls and carry out a mass deportation drive -- aspects of which have been challenged in US courts. Lame holds top spot on the wildly popular TikTok social media app, with 162.2 million followers and has risen to fame for his short silent videos mocking the convoluted tutorials and tips that abound on the internet. He punctuates his videos with a trademark gesture -- palms turned towards the sky, accompanied by a knowing smile and wide eyes -- as he offers his own simple remedies. The idea for his content came to him while wandering around the housing project where his family lived in Chivasso, near Turin, after losing his factory mechanic's job in March 2020. His posts took off -- helping him gross an estimated $16.5 million through marketing deals with companies in the period between June 2022 and September 2023, according to Forbes. aha/acb
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Who Are the Suspects Charged in North Carolina Deadly Mass Shooting?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Eight young adults have been charged in connection with a mass shooting at a North Carolina house party earlier this month, with four facing more than 10 counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Several others have been charged with aiding and abetting and accessary. Newsweek has reached out to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and the FBI Charlotte office for comment via email on Saturday. The Context Law enforcement responded to reports of people being shot at a residence in Catawba County, approximately an hour north of Charlotte, around 12:45 a.m. on June 1. Twelve victims were reported, one of whom died. "The investigation indicates more than one shooter was involved in the incident," Major Aaron Turk of the Catawba County Sheriff's said in a June 1 press conference, later noting that "more than 80 shots were fired." An estimated 130 to 160 mass shootings have occurred in the United States so far this year, according to data from the Mass Shooting Tracker and the Gun Violence Archive. What To Know Over the past week, law enforcement officials, working with the FBI, have arrested several people in connection with the shooting, for charges related to attempted murder, accessory, and aiding and abetting. Although the victims at the party range in age from 16 to 58, the suspects are young adults. The deceased victim has been identified as 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood of Lenoi, North Carolina. Local news station WSOC-TVreported that investigators believe the five suspects accused of opening fire at the party are affiliated with a nationally recognized gang, but have not publicly released the group's name. The FBI estimates there are around "33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs are criminally active in the U.S. today." A 2022 North Carolina Department of Public Safety report identified 237 gangs active in the state, putting membership around 8,000. On Friday, the Catawba County Sheriff's Office announced that the following four suspects, received 10 additional counts of attempted first-degree murder, "received no bond and remain in the custody of the Catawba County Detention Facility," the latest police update states. Toland Huff Jr. Toland Huff Jr., a 20-year-old resident of Hickory, North Carolina, was initially arrested on one count of attempted first-degree murder and now faces 11 counts. He was the last of the suspects to be located and taken into custody. Izaiah Kane Mitchell The 18-year-old Morganton, North Carolina, resident, who is also referred to as Zay Harris, was similarly first arrested on one count of attempted first-degree murder, now facing 11. Ke'andre O'Neal Mack A 19-year-old Hickory resident also faces 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder. On Friday, he confessed to firing an entire clip into the crowd, according to local news station WSOC-TV. Zachary Michael Bates The oldest of the suspects, Bates is 22 years old and resides in Morganton, North Carolina. He now faces 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors said on Friday that Bates participated in the shooting in an effort to gain gang status. Another suspect, 20-year-old Garon Nathaniel Killian is facing a count of attempted first-degree murder, and a previous count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill following an April altercation. He appeared in court on Thursday for the April charge. Zoe Makenna Braswell, 18, faces one count of accessory after the fact to attempted first‑degree murder, while Patrick Lee Tolbert, 22, and Raekwon Malik Craig, 21, have each been charged with three counts of aiding and abetting underage alcohol possession in connection with the party, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Investigators use a metal detector to collect evidence at the scene of a mass shooting on June 1 in Hickory, North Carolina. Investigators use a metal detector to collect evidence at the scene of a mass shooting on June 1 in Hickory, North Carolina. Sarah C. Johnson/The Hickory Daily Record via AP What People Are Saying Major Aaron Turk, Catawba County Sheriff's Office told WSOC-TV on Friday: "Gang motives were a part of this tragedy. We are still unraveling that as part of our larger investigation." Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post on June 1: "And yet republicans in our state legislature are trying to make permit-less carry legal in this state. The answer to gun violence being the #1 killer of young people in communities across our state is not to make it easier for young people to buy one." North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said in a Facebook post on June 4: "SBI agents, along with officers from 12 agencies, are working around the clock to locate and bring all involved to justice." What Happens Next The four suspects facing over 10 counts of attempted first-degree murder will appear in the Catawba County District Court on June 9, according to the latest press release. The police statement notes that "additional charges are pending."
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Protesters Clash With Police for Second Day Amid Ongoing LA ICE Raids
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Federal immigration enforcement operations have triggered protests across California for the second consecutive day, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in Paramount on Saturday morning following similar operations across multiple Los Angeles locations on Friday. Large groups of protesters quickly assembled near raid sites on both days, leading to traffic disruptions and escalating tensions with federal authorities. Newsweek reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via email on Saturday for comment. Why It Matters These protests represent the most significant resistance to federal immigration enforcement since President Donald Trump's return to office in January. The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority under border czar Tom Homan's leadership. Los Angeles County maintains sanctuary policies, with local law enforcement refusing to participate in civil immigration enforcement. The current federal operations signal an escalation in immigration enforcement activities, while similar protests have spread to New York and Chicago, suggesting potential for broader resistance nationwide. Demonstrators shout and film at police during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles on June 7 after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. Demonstrators shout and film at police during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles on June 7 after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. AP Photo/Eric Thayer What To Know The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to KTLA News that around 11 a.m. on Saturday, deputies were dispatched to the 6400 block of Alondra Boulevard in Paramount on reports of protesters blocking traffic. Demonstrations continued for hours with protesters throwing projectiles and lighting a pallet on fire in the middle of the road, while sheriff's deputies attempted crowd control as air units circled overhead. At least 44 people were arrested during the protests on Friday, according to Reuters, during which officers used pepper spray and tear gas on hundreds of protesters outside federal buildings. ICE operations resulted in the detention of David Huerta, a labor leader who was arrested for allegedly obstructing federal agents by blocking their vehicle. Federal authorities emphasize they're targeting individuals with criminal histories including gang members, drug traffickers, and those with records of assault, domestic violence, and robbery. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared an unlawful assembly near Alameda and Temple streets after reports that protesters threw concrete pieces at officers, authorizing less-lethal munitions and initiating a citywide tactical alert. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons alleged that over 1,000 protesters surrounded and attacked a federal building, claiming it took more than two hours for LAPD to respond to federal officers' calls for assistance. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department emphasized they responded solely for crowd and traffic control, maintaining their non-participation policy in immigration enforcement activities. Law enforcement stand during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles on June 7 after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. Law enforcement stand during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles on June 7 after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. AP Photo/Eric Thayer What People Are Saying Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X, formerly Twitter on Saturday: "A message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. [ICE] will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said on Saturday in part: "These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens. Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support." Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) President and CEO Lindsay Toczylowski in a statement: "As attorneys, we are disgusted by DHS' blatant betrayal of basic human dignity as we witness hundreds of people held in deplorable conditions without food, water, or beds for 12+ hours. People targeted by ICE are being denied access to attorneys and family visitation, but they're not the only ones - our own members of Congress are being denied access to conduct their oversight duties. DHS is not above the law, but right now they are treating federal facilities like islands of lawlessness within our city. This is an urgent moment for our country to wake up to the terror ICE is inflicting on communities and take action." Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement: "The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable and Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom must call for it to end. The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens. Make no mistake, Democrat politicians like Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Wu of Boston, Tim Walz, and Mayor Bass of Los Angeles are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE. From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is beyond the pale. This violence against ICE must end." U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California on X: "Let me be clear: I don't care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties." A protester throws a rock amidst tear gas from law enforcement during a demonstration after federal immigration authorities conducted operations on, June 7 in the Paramount section of Los Angeles. A protester throws a rock amidst tear gas from law enforcement during a demonstration after federal immigration authorities conducted operations on, June 7 in the Paramount section of Los Angeles. AP Photo/Eric Thayer What Happens Next Federal authorities have indicated that investigations into assaults on law enforcement during the Los Angeles protests are ongoing, with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stating authorities are "thoroughly reviewing the evidence" and working with the U.S. Attorney's Office to prosecute perpetrators. Advocacy groups continue demanding accountability from federal agencies amid calls for the release of detained protesters and reviews of ICE's enforcement tactics.
