A 13-year-old student from Long Beach was arrested on Thursday for allegedly participating in a viral social media challenge that encourages students to insert metal or lead into their Chromebook laptops. This dangerous trend, known as the “Chromebook challenge,” has been circulating on TikTok and involves short-circuiting the devices, leading to sparks, smoke, and sometimes fire.
The incident occurred at Perry Lindsey Academy, where the student reportedly inserted a foreign object into a Chromebook’s battery charging port, causing damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Long Beach Police Department confirmed the arrest, and the Long Beach Unified School District is currently assessing whether the student will be held responsible for the damage.
The school district has urged parents to discuss the risks of participating in such social media challenges with their children. “Inserting objects into charging ports is unsafe and can lead to significant disciplinary action and legal consequences,” the district stated, emphasizing the importance of responsible digital behavior.
This is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have been reported in other states, including Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. In one instance, a Northern California teacher had to use a fire extinguisher on a smoking Chromebook and evacuate the classroom.
The viral challenge has prompted TikTok to remove the #ChromebookChallenge tag, replacing it with a message warning users about the potential dangers of online challenges.
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