School officials in Newark are warning parents about a dangerous social media trend that encourages students to damage school-issued laptops, potentially placing themselves and others at risk of serious injury.
In a message sent May 8 by the Newark CSD IT Department, families were alerted to a challenge circulating on TikTok that reportedly encourages students to intentionally damage or even set fire to district-provided electronic devices. Officials described the trend as posing “serious safety risks” to students and those around them.
“Tampering with electronic devices can lead to fire hazards and potential burns, exposure to toxic materials from damaged batteries, and injuries from broken or sharp components,” the notice stated.
The district emphasized that its top priority remains the health and safety of every student, warning that such behavior is not only hazardous but also disrupts instruction.
The alert included a link to a current news article or video offering more information on the issue.
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