14-05-2025
Colorado fire departments battle viral ‘Chromebook Challenge'
BROOMFIELD, Colo. (KDVR) — Colorado school districts and fire departments are warning families about a dangerous social media trend showing students how to damage or set fire to their school-issued laptops.
Multiple incidents have been reported across the state.
Crews at North Metro Fire Rescue say they've responded to about ten calls this month in the Boulder Valley and Adams 12 school districts. Each one posed a risk to students, staff and the buildings.
'They emit flames, sparks, they can even explode or rupture. It's a very dangerous, very serious situation,' said Steven Gosselin, the Division Chief of Fire Prevention at North Metro Fire Rescue District.
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He says the social media challenge shows students how to short circuit their school-issued Chromebooks or puncture the batteries. That can cause the temperature to rise, which can lead to a fire or even the release of toxic gas.
'You could not only endanger yourselves, endanger others that might be in the classroom with you, you also risk the destruction of the device you are tampering with,' Gosselin said.
Several school districts including Boulder Valley, Adams 12 and Cherry Creek sent communications to parents warning them about the trend.
They and firefighters are asking parents to talk to their kids about the dangers and the repercussions.
'I would encourage parents to talk to their children and explain to them the hazards associated with this type of activity, and they could carry consequences that they could regret for the rest of their lives,' Gosselin said.
It's possible students who participate in the challenge could face discipline at school or legal consequences.
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