Fire and police departments warn of ‘Chromebook Challenge’

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WLNE) — Emergency services in Southern New England were warning parents of a TikTok trend known as the “Chromebook Challenge.”

The Cumberland Police Department said that the challenge “encourages kids to take apart or intentionally damage their school-issued Chromebooks, sometimes by trying to short-circuit internal parts.”

The Westport Fire Department said that short-circuiting these batteries can lead to fires or explosions, the release of toxic gases, or the runaway heating.

Parents were encouraged to discuss with their students the purpose of Chromebooks and to avoid “social media stunts.”