Classrooms had to be evacuated at Vale Middle School in and Johnson High School because of the dangerous social media trend last week.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio school districts are sounding the alarm on the so-called “Chromebook Challenge.”
It’s a viral social media trend where students put items like paperclips and even foil into their computers to try and short circuit it.
Many of the items lead to fires and smoke.
Districts say students who want to record themselves doing the challenge may get the views online but they’ll also get disciplined for creating a dangerous situation on school property.
“Wednesday of last week at Johnson High School, in the afternoon, a Chromebook that was in use started smoking a lot. The entire classroom was evacuated until they could get the smoke under control,” said Aubrey Chancellor, North East ISD executive director of communications.
Chancellor says they got video of the student breaking the computer and now consequences are in place.
“We are going to hold the student accountable. In addition to that, criminal charges will be filed as well,” said Chancellor.
On May 8, a similar situation happened at Vale Middle School at Northside ISD.
“The device actually started smoking to the point where, the building was evacuated. Fire department showed up just to make sure that everything was okay,” said Barry Perez, Northside ISD assistant superintendent of communications.
On top of the student getting disciplined for their actions, parents are going to have to pay too.
“Families I’m sure, could find better use for $300-$400 than replacing a Chromebook that was damaged in a silly prank that poses a real threat to a school and to others,” said Perez.
Natalia ISD shared on Facebook, that it’ll be a $400 replacement fee for any Chromebook broken.
Superintendent Dr. Lana Collavo says the Chromebook works like textbooks in class and need to be treated the same way.
“We have a lot of curriculum digitally access. So they submit their assignments through their Chromebook. So it is like carrying their textbooks and their notebook paper with them,” said Collavo.
San Antonio ISD also released the following statement regarding the challenge:
“We are aware of the current Chromebook Challenge. We encourage our families to speak to their children about the dangers of tampering with electronic devices. Safety hazards such as fire or the release of toxic fumes could put their health, and those around them, at risk. As with any activity that jeopardizes the safety of others, students who pursue such acts will face consequences in alignment with our student code of conduct.”
Each of the districts KENS 5 spoke with wants parents to pay attention to what their children are up to in order to prevent any issues before the end of the school year.