Chromebook Challenge, a TikTok trend of damaging laptops, arrives in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Students across the country have been caught trying to set their laptops on fire — all to create viral TikTok videos.

It’s called the Chromebook Challenge, and it has spread to Lincoln.

Lincoln Public Schools said several district-issued computers have been damaged in the trend.

Viral videos show students sticking metal-tipped pens or other objects into the charging ports of their school-issued Chromebooks to short-circuit them.

That creates sparks, smoke or even flames.

“We’ve had 11 issues that we’re reported that we thought might be a response to the TikTok challenge,” said Kirk Langer, the chief officer of technology at LPS. Langer said.

Eight of those laptops were confirmed to be damaged in the trend.

What students may not realize is how dangerous this actually is.

“While it might be trendy to do something like this … that could also hurt them if they’re not careful,” Langer said.

LPS sent out an email to warn teachers about the trend but also warned students that this is not a lighthearted joke.

The district said in a statement to students: “This is serious. In addition to possibly harming yourself and others, there will be consequences for intentionally damaging your school-issued Chromebooks.”

If their laptops are damaged, it will be the students’ responsibility to pay up to $300 to replace the device.

“When you do damage to one thing on the logic board, you ruin the entire logic board,” Langer said. “So your only option is to repair the entire logic board, and that’s usually more costly than replacing the device.”

LPS said students will not only face school consequences if they partake in the trend, but also legal action for vandalism and misuse of school property.