Overview

• The #ChromebookChallenge encourages students to insert metal objects into Chromebook charging ports, causing fires and toxic fumes.
• A 15-year-old in New Jersey has been charged with arson and criminal mischief after a school evacuation linked to the trend.
• Fire officials warn that tampering with lithium-ion batteries can trigger thermal runaway, posing ongoing safety hazards even after fires appear extinguished.
• TikTok has blocked related search terms and issued safety warnings, but the challenge persists under alternate hashtags, garnering thousands of views.
• Schools across multiple states report increasing incidents, prompting evacuations, legal actions, and warnings from authorities urging parental vigilance.