CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WJAR) — A new TikTok trend is raising alarms in Cumberland after police say students are damaging their school-issued Chromebooks as part of a dangerous online stunt.
The “Chromebook Challenge,” as it’s known on social media, encourages students to stick pencil lead or other conductive materials into the charging port of their devices in an attempt to short-circuit the battery. In some cases, the laptops spark, smoke, or even catch fire.
Cumberland Police posted a warning on Facebook, urging parents to speak with their children about the risks. The department said the trend could lead to electrical shocks, fires, costly damage to school property, and even criminal charges…