Fresno Unified warns of dangerous TikTok Chromebook Challenge

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Schools across the nation are now focusing on a new TikTok challenge that not only poses a danger to school property but also to students. In response, the Fresno Unified School District is warning families about the dangers and consequences of the Chromebook Challenge.

In the trend, students are seen recording themselves while inserting items into the USB port of their Chromebooks. These objects can range from pencil leads to paper clips, and this would cause the laptop to short-circuit, catching fire in some cases and electric shock.

Although neither Fresno Unified nor Clovis Unified has reported any students injured from the trend, Fresno Unified states there have been “isolated incidents of technology misuse.” Clovis Unified reported at least two Chromebooks damaged in connection with the challenge in the last six months.

Fresno Unified released a letter to families, stating the dangers of the challenge and how it could harm students and pose fire hazards in the school.

The letter also details the consequences students could face if they are found participating in it, including “disciplinary action, full reimbursement for damaged equipment, and potential involvement from law enforcement.”

Although no arrests have been reported in Fresno County from this trend as of Tuesday, law enforcement has been summoned in other school districts in the state because of the challenge, resulting in a teenager’s arrest. That is the case of a 13-year-old in Long Beach, who the Los Angeles Times reported was arrested for allegedly participating in the Chromebook Challenge.

TikTok has since blocked any search related to the challenge; instead of showing videos related to the challenge, the search result shows a page urging users not to participate in “harmful” and “disturbing” trends and giving them “resources” to help identify harmful online trends.