TikTok is full of entertaining cat videos, humorous dances, and yes, even challenges — the famed ice-bucket challenge has returned and is promoting mental-health support. But now a dangerous TikTok challenge is spreading through the short-form video app and through schools across the US.
The Chromebook Challenge, named for Google’s line of laptops, encourages students to insert metal items into the USB port on their school-issued computers, intending to create sparks, smoke and possibly a fire.
A TikTok representative told NBC News that the challenge videos were showing up on other social media sites as well, and that TikTok has blocked search terms like “Chromebook challenge.”
When I tried searching for the phrase on May 9, no videos came up, and instead a safety warning appeared. “Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing, or even fabricated,” it said. “Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being.”
When TikTok user search for the dangerous challenge, they now see this warning.
Google didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.
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Searching TikTok will bring up videos showing kids attempting the dangerous and damaging challenge. Schools, as you might expect, are not happy.
David Winston, principal of Lincoln Park Middle School in Morris County, New Jersey, sent a letter home to parents about the dangers of the act, as reported by NorthJersey.com.
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“We expect our students to make responsible choices and refrain from any behavior that could result in injury, property damage, disciplinary action, or the loss of privileges,” Winston said in his letter. “This type of act is considered a form of vandalism and, if a fire results, could be treated as arson.”
And kids might not be laughing when their parents get the bill for a damaged or ruined laptop.
“We’re asking for your help in talking to your child about the importance of taking care of their school devices and thinking twice before participating in online challenges like this,” reads a letter sent to parents of kids in Virginia’s Prince George’s County Public Schools, as reported by FOX5. “As a reminder, families are responsible for the cost of any deliberate damage done to school-issued Chromebooks.”