by Geoff Fox
The school year is drawing to a close, but a trend on social media has started making the last month a little more dangerous for students and schools.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a warning, alerting people to a new social media trend where students insert electrically conductive objects into the charging ports of school-issued and personal electronic devices, notably Chromebooks.
Fire officials said the reckless behavior has been linked to several incidents resulting in fires, smoke, and property damage.
Hancock is not immune to the trend, which has surfaced locally.
Erin Anderson, Chief Communications Officer for Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), said the county is aware of the challenge and sent a communication home to families last Friday evening, May 9.
As of May 5, the Fire Marshal said authorities have documented multiple instances of what is being called the “Chromebook Challenge” where students insert items such as pencils and other metallic objects into device charging ports, which then cause short circuits.
Incidents have resulted in sparks and smoke, with some cases leading to battery ignition due to thermal runaway, prompting emergency evacuations and disciplinary actions at schools across Maryland.
Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray has urged parents and school officials to prioritize safety, awareness, and prevention in response to the actions of the students.
“We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts,” Mowbray said in the release. “It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices.”
The Fire Marshal’s Office encourages open dialogue between parents and children regarding the issue and recommends schools reinforce policies that discourage the dangerous behavior.
In doing so, the Fire Marshal’s Office said, the goal is to protect students and ensure a safe learning environment for all.
In the letter to WCPS families, the school district alerted parents of the “concerning trend” make its rounds on social media like TikTok.
The challenge hasn’t been widely seen in Washington County schools, but the district wanted to share information as a precaution to help keep students and schools safe, as well as making parents and caregivers aware of the trend in hopes it doesn’t create a safety risk in homes or outside of school.
The letter details the what the challenge entails, such as intentionally inserting objects into the USB or power ports of the Chromebook leading to sparks, smoke, or even fire.
Hancock Middle-Senior High School Principal Jennifer Ruppenthal said there was incident related to the challenge.
“Thankfully, no one was injured, and the only damage was to the Chromebook,” Ruppenthal said in an email to The Hancock News. “The matter was handled in accordance with WCPS protocols and Board policy.”
She said the school is committed to ensuring the safety of the students and the school and staff would continue to work in partnership with families to educate students on the serious risks and consequences of participating in online challenges that could result in harm or disciplinary action.
The letter from WCPS said any student found participating in the Chromebook Challenge could face disciplinary action in accordance with county policies on vandalism.
Families would also be held financially responsible for repairing or replacing any intentionally damaged Chromebooks.
Ruppenthal went on to say that if needed, the school would issue further communications to students and families and collaborate with the school safety officers to provide additional prevention measures.
“Safety remains a top priority, and we appreciate the community’s support in helping to keep all students safe,” she said.
The county has encouraged parents and caregivers to speak with their children about the importance of using school devices responsibly and the potential dangers of engaging in unsafe online trends.
They added if your child observes any suspicious behavior involving Chromebooks, to please encourage them to report it to a staff member at their school.
