Mr. Christopher Barone, Director of Technology for the Cheltenham School District, sent a letter to district families on Friday regarding a TikTok trend which involves students inserting foreign objects—such as paper clips, foil, or other conductive materials—into the USB ports of school-issued Chromebooks.

According to Barone, the behavior “poses a significant safety risk, causing electrical damage, potential fires, or personal injury.”

From the letter:

At Cheltenham, the safety and well being of our students and staff are at the heart of everything we do. We also value the technology resources made available through the support of our community. Damaging school-issued devices is not only dangerous but will result in serious consequences, including suspension, loss of technology privileges, and, in some cases, financial responsibility for the replacement of the device.

We kindly ask for your support in talking with your child(ren) about the importance of treating school property with care and the risks associated with this trend. These conversations at home, coupled with our guidance at school, can make a big difference in helping students make thoughtful choices.

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly at cbarone@cheltenham.org.

The trend has become widely known as the “Chromebook Challenge,” NBC News reported yesterday.

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