- Content: 
By Michaela Gordoni
Yet another TikTok trend is encouraging kids to engage in dangerous activities; this time, it’s setting fire to their laptops.
In India, a new Chromebook costs the U.S. equivalent of $317, which is nearly three months of pay for an average Indian aged 25-34, according to Forbes. In Argentina, Nigeria and Brazil, and dozens of other countries, you won’t find a kid with a school-issued computer. Residents of countries like these have to pay a lot to get access to everyday tech like laptops, but here in America, our kids burn them.
Kids and teens are sharing videos of putting items into Chromebooks, causing them to short-circuit and catch fire. Many of the videos are taken inside classrooms, Parents reports.
Items kids are shoving in their laptop USB ports are pushpins, mechanical pencils, gum wrappers, paper clips, nails and other items with components that can interfere with the laptop’s circuitry.
@gpsingh_05
Many school districts across the country are taking the issue very seriously and issuing notices to parents to make them aware of the trend, which falls under the hashtags “#chromebookchallenge, #chromebookdurabilitytest and #fstudent.
One Texas school district warns students who copy this behavior may face “immediate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, full financial liability for damages (Chromebooks, wiring, classroom damage)” and “referral to law enforcement and possible felony prosecution for arson or criminal mischief — charges that carry life-altering consequences,” it adds.
NBC reported a 15-year-old New Jersey student did get charged with third-degree arson after the school was evacuated.
Related: TikTok Trend Leaves Four Dead
Dr. Greg Sugalski, MD, the acting chair of the emergency department of Hackensack University Medical Center, said laptops will release toxic chemicals when burned.
“It can make the computer’s lithium ion battery explode and cause a large fire, and there is a risk of smoke inhalation as this trend causes the computer to smoke, burning electrical equipment and plastic,” explained Dr. Sugalski.
Two high schools in Connecticut also had to have a whole-school evacuation.
Other dangerous trends are going viral.
Just last week, a Virginia teen was killed after attempting a ding-dong ditch prank for TikTok. He had two friends with him when the homeowner opened fire, killing him and wounding one of the other juveniles. The homeowner now faces charges of second-degree murder, NBC reported.
Parents encourage moms and dads to ask their kids if they know about the trend, explain the risks and monitor their social media and devices to make sure they are sharing safe content.
Read Next: Deadly TikTok Trends Spark Lawsuits, Possible Bans
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +3