A New Jersey high school student threatened the safety of their peers by sticking pencil lead into the port of their school computer on May 8 as part of a social media trend. The trend, originating from TikTok, involves the insertion of metal objects into school computers, which results in an eruption of smoke, sparks and even fire, endangering students themselves and their peers.
Students from schools around the country have been participating in the fad, deemed the “Chromebook Challenge,” which eventually reached Belleville, N.J. The 15-year-old Belleville High School student, whose identity was not made public, intentionally lodged the lead from a mechanical pencil into their Chromebook, which caused it to short-circuit, according to a May 14 article from ABC 7 Eyewitness News.
Smoke poured out from the computer as the battery began to fail, filling the classroom and school with potentially hazardous fumes. Students and staff were forced to evacuate the building, ABC 7 reported. A burnt smell permeated the school as police officers and firefighters arrived on the scene at approximately 9:13 a.m. Outside, they located the charred Chromebook that a staff member had removed from the school building prior to their arrival.
Although the Chromebook was no longer smoking, danger was still evident. Fire officials determined that the lithium batteries inside the computer have the potential to reignite up to hours later. The student responsible for the incident was charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief due to the reckless endangerment of others, according to ABC 7.
This occurrence has prompted police, fire departments and New Jersey schools to raise awareness about the trend. Various school districts, including West Essex Regional School District, sent out warnings to families the week of the incident.
Superintendent Damion Macioci sent out an email to West Essex families addressing potential safety concerns surrounding the emerging social media trend, as a warning to discourage the destructive actions.
