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FLORIDA - A viral social media stunt has prompted urgent warnings from Florida school officials and fire departments after students were allegedly caught attempting a dangerous TikTok trend involving school-issued laptops.
Lake County Schools sent a district-wide alert to parents and students this week regarding the so-called “Chromebook Challenge,” a viral trend where students are filmed inserting metal objects into Chromebook charging ports.
This act can reportedly cause the laptops to short-circuit, spark, smoke, or even catch fire.
Officials warn that anyone caught attempting the challenge could face serious consequences, including criminal charges or expulsion.
The warning comes after classrooms at Mount Dora Middle School were briefly evacuated on Wednesday.
The district confirmed that the incident involved one of the devices, though no injuries or further damage were reported.
The school’s IT department is now investigating several devices for signs of tampering.
The stunt, which has spread rapidly on TikTok, poses a serious fire hazard due to the lithium-ion batteries in the laptops.
Fire experts say the batteries can release toxic gases and burn at extreme temperatures when damaged.
“This is super serious,” said Seminole County Assistant Fire Chief Tod Zellers. “These types of fires can quickly become life-threatening.”
Other school districts, including Osceola County, have issued similar alerts.
Officials are encouraging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of online trends that promote destructive behavior.
As investigations continue, schools across Florida are remaining vigilant to prevent further incidents linked to this potentially hazardous challenge.