Smoking Chromebook that closed down school likely brought on by TikTok challenge
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that a student stuck a pencil into a school-issued Chromebook charging port just to see it smoke, and that the student likely did it to meet the Chromebook Challenge on TikTok.
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Dutchess County officials confirmed that a smoking Chromebook that led to the evacuation of Ketcham High School in Wappinger was likely inspired by a viral social media challenge.
Ketcham was among the latest of many schools to be evacuated in the last week due to a social media challenge to destroy Google Chromebooks and make them smoke from their charging ports.
"Apparently, a Chromebook might have exploded or something," said Ketcham senior Jamal Sahawneh, just after Monday's disruption. "Like overheated and caught on fire."
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that a student stuck a pencil into a school-issued Chromebook charging port just to see it smoke, and that the student likely did it to meet the Chromebook Challenge on TikTok.
"It's actually like that one thing where they put graphite into the Chromebooks," one student said. "And then it causes it to explode."
A section of the school filled with smoke.
Students were evacuated, and classes were canceled.
The sheriff's office said no charges have been filed at this time.
Several seniors told News 12 they had never thought to do destroy school property for views, likes and attention.
"For like 30 minutes, not knowing anything until some kid posted — probably on Snapchat — saw something and it spread like crazy," said senior Alyssa Kurlander.
Social media consultant Robin Colner, of Digistar Media, pointed out how algorithms used to promote more innocent challenges and fads has changed.
"How many people can open a Coke can with their toes? Or how many Froot Loops can you put on your tongue before you cough? Those things are cute from a marketing perspective," Colner said Wednesday in a Zoom interview. "And now these challenges have evolved to being extremely dangerous."
Colner said an upcoming statewide ban on phone use in schools could lessen the chances of dangerous social media challenges disrupting classes, but it will not keep social media companies from rewarding people for doing dangerous and stupid things.
Colner does not see any signs that industry leaders want to change that.
The Wappingers school superintendent is holding off on commenting about whether the student believed to have caused the Ketcham incident might face discipline from the district.
The deputy state fire administrator released the following statement:
“Tampering with the ports and mechanics of laptops is a serious fire hazard and completely unacceptable. With a new trend sweeping across social media, it is crucial parents and guardians sit down with their children to talk about this danger and put an end to this once and for all. Not only is there an enormous risk of fire when lithium-ion batteries fail, they also produce large quantities of toxic and flammable vapor.”
