A dangerous new social media trend known as the “Chromebook Challenge” is causing concern among school officials and public safety agencies across New York and beyond. The trend encourages students to insert metal objects—such as pencil lead, paperclips, or foil—into the USB ports of their school-issued Chromebooks, intentionally causing electrical short circuits.
Lithium battery fires and toxic fumes a growing concern
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) issued an information bulletin on May 8, 2025, warning fire departments and school personnel about the risks associated with this trend. According to the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), the deliberate short-circuiting of devices can trigger lithium-ion battery failure, potentially causing fires, toxic smoke, and thermal runaway reactions.
“This action can result in the failure of the lithium-ion battery in the device, posing a serious fire risk and the production of large quantities of toxic and flammable vapor,” the bulletin states.
Several New York schools have already reported incidents linked to the challenge. In some cases, students tried multiple times to activate the devices, failing to get a visible reaction but potentially destabilizing the battery in the process.
How fire departments are advised to respond
The OFPC has issued specific guidance for fire departments encountering these incidents:
- Treat the situation as a standard fire response.
- Evacuate the area immediately.
- Use full personal protective equipment, including SCBA, due to toxic lithium battery smoke.
- Extinguish remaining fire and ventilate the area thoroughly.
- Monitor air quality with specialized equipment (standard 4-gas meters may not detect all toxic byproducts).
- Disconnect the device from power sources without touching it unnecessarily.
- Contact hazmat teams if necessary.
If a device has undergone a thermal event, responders are urged not to assume the danger has passed. Multiple reactions may still occur.
What schools and parents need to know
Public safety officials are urging school districts to communicate the dangers of this trend directly to students and parents. Not only is the behavior dangerous, but it may also be considered criminal tampering depending on the jurisdiction.
The guidance emphasizes:
- Notifying law enforcement of any incidents.
- Working with environmental cleanup services when necessary.
- Reporting cases to the OFPC at [email protected].
What happens next
School administrators are advised to increase surveillance and awareness around student Chromebook use. Parents should speak with children about the serious consequences of participating in online challenges involving electronics or potentially hazardous materials.
As digital trends continue to evolve, state officials stress that proactive communication and education are essential to preventing accidents and protecting public safety.
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