Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Mass. fire officials warn against dangerous school laptop TikTok ‘challenge’
Officials say the trend involves inserting conductive objects into laptop charging ports, posing a potential fire hazard.
State fire officials are warning parents and educators about a dangerous social media trend that poses a serious potential fire hazard.
Students in public schools statewide have reportedly been imitating a “challenge” which encourages them to insert conductive objects into the charging ports on their laptops, fire officials said in a statement. The trend appears to have started on TikTok.
By using objects such as paper clips and pencil lead, students can cause their laptop to short circuit, increasing the device’s temperature and causing smoke, sparks, or even a fire, according to fire officials. As a result, students run the risk of injuring themselves or others.
Advertisement:
“We’ve received more than a dozen reports from Massachusetts fire departments of young people engaging in this behavior in less than a week,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in the statement. “No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord.”
Since May 6, 14 incidents have been reported in the Barnstable, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, and Worcester counties, according to fire officials. In most cases, teachers spotted the students abusing the laptops and stopped them before anyone got hurt.
Advertisement:
Last week, Davine sent a notice about the nationwide trend to local fire chiefs, the statement said. So far, only one incident resulted in minor injuries, but several of them caused heavy smoke and damage to the laptops.
Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher warned about the dangers of tampering with devices that “pack a lot of power into small containers.”
“Almost all modern laptops are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can erupt in sparks and flames when damaged or abused,” Kelleher said in the statement. “An event like that will injure anyone close by. The fire can easily spread to clothing, bedding, upholstery, and furniture.”
Similar trends have posed fire hazards in the past, according to the statement. One trend in 2020 encouraged people to drop coins onto the prongs of plugs partially inserted into wall outlets, causing “numerous electrical fires and damage.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com