Oconto Unified School District warns about Chromebook Challenge

GREEN BAY, Wis (WGBW) – The Oconto Unified School District (OUSD) got ahead of the curve on a dangerous national social media trend. The district sent a letter to families warning them of the Chromebook Challenge.

The national trend on TikTok shows students forcing paper clips and other metal objects into the USB ports of Chromebooks. This causes them to short-circuit, smoke, and catch fire. 

Superintendent Emily Miller said in the letter to families that several school districts nationwide have reported incidents resulting in damage to the devices and triggering fire alarms. 

All students at Oconto Senior High have a district-issued Chromebook to use for their studies. 

@nbcconnecticut

Several Connecticut schools have been evacuated due to a Chromebook TikTok trend #tiktok #connecticut #chromebook

♬ original sound – nbcconnecticut

Letter OUSD on Chromebook Challenge

Dear OUSD Families,

We are reaching out to share an important and urgent safety concern that has been impacting schools across the country, including a number of districts in our region. This week, we became aware of a disturbing trend circulating on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, which encourages students to tamper with school-issued Chromebook chargers in a way that poses a serious fire and safety risk.

According to this recent news report out of Connecticut, the trend involves inserting a piece of metal-such as a coin-partially into a Chromebook charger while it is plugged in. This action can cause sparks, fires, electrical damage, and even personal injury. Several school districts have already reported incidents resulting in damage to devices and the triggering of fire alarms. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported yet, but the potential for harm is significant.

We ask that you take a few moments to speak with your child about this trend. Please emphasize:

The serious danger it presents to their safety and the safety of others.

The long-term consequences of participating in such behavior-including possible disciplinary action and restitution for damaged property.

The importance of using technology responsibly and making wise choices both online and offline.

At Oconto Unified School District, student safety is our highest priority. We are actively monitoring for this behavior and will respond firmly to any incidents involving this dangerous activity. In the meantime, our staff is also speaking with students about the risks and reinforcing expectations for safe and responsible use of school-issued devices.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if your child has information related to this issue, we encourage you to contact your building principal or reach out to us directly.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe and informed.

Emily Miller, Superintendent