13-05-2025
Dangerous social media trend causes damage to schools
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Final exams, the prom and regional sports finals are all part of the end-of-school season, but this year, like in many years in the past, social media has fueled a dangerous trend, with the latest episode involving laptops and easily influenced children.
10 On Your Side obtained a copy of an advisory that was sent to Norfolk parents over the weekend. It read in part:
'We want to bring to your attention a concerning social media trend that has recently emerged. Some students across various schools have been influenced by online content encouraging them to attempt starting fires using Chromebooks. … Not only can these incidents cause disruption to the entire school; they can also cause serious injury. Please make sure your student understands participating in this trend could have serious repercussions including injuries, disciplinary consequences, and financial responsibility.'
10 On Your Side will not disclose how the fires are set and the details of the dangerous challenge.
In Derby, Kansas, WAVY-TV 10's sister station covered the case of a scorched laptop at Derby High School. Becky Howe is a parent at the school.
'Parents need to be educated of what they are and children need to be educated that they [ internet challenges]are actually dangerous,' said Becky Howe, a parent of a student at the school.
There's a reason why certain batteries are not allowed on airplanes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, lithium batteries can cause a thermal runaway, which is characterized as a chain reaction of uncontrolled heating that can lead to fire or explosion.
Fire officials in Derby say the so-called laptop challenge can turn deadly.
'Once you cause this thermal runaway to occur, you can't stop it,' said Derby Fire Marshal Jonathan Marr. 'It will continue to get worse until it burns itself out.'
The fires also release chemicals that require special equipment for first responders. 10 On Your Side touched base with eight local school systems; Portsmouth and Virginia Beach responded by saying the laptop trend has not visited their schools.
Suffolk Public Schools said they've seen several incidents among students in the school division, and it responded with this statement:
Important-Notice-to-Families_-TikTok-Challenge-Causing-Chromebook-DamageDownload
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