WESTCHESTER, N.Y. - School and other officials are urgently reaching out to parents, students, and the public about a viral TikTok trend that has participants intentionally damaging their school-issued computers.
Known as the “Chromebook Challenge,” it encourages kids to stick things such as paper clips and pencil lead into the laptop’s USB port, which can cause it to short-circuit, release toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon monoxide, and catch on fire.
“This is NOT a silly prank. This is NO joke. It is dangerous and it is illegal,” warned Susan Spear, the county’s commissioner of emergency services, on Monday, May 12.
Besides the obvious threats to life, limb, and property, the upshot of such recklessness could be arson charges.
“If you think I’m trying to scare you, you would be correct,” she added.
Spear asked schools to “be alert” and to notify the authorities about any incidents. Parents need to talk to their children about “the risks and consequences,” and students not take part in the challenge or “encourage others.”
“You can seriously hurt yourselves and your friends,” she said, noting that the Westchester Department of Emergency Services is actively working with local fire departments to address the situation to “keep our schools safe.”
Somers Superintendent Harry LeFevre sent out a letter to the community letting it know the school district is keeping on top of things.
“While social media trends may seem entertaining, they often hide the serious dangers involved,” he wrote.
It’s “extremely hazardous,” especially in “a school environment where it could result in injuries to students and staff,” LeFevre said, adding that triggering a fire alarm “could lead to further risks during an emergency evacuation."
Urging families to speak with their children “about the dangers of participating in such activities,” he said that a concerted effort can “help prevent unsafe behavior both at school and at home.”
LeFevre also warned that any student found to have damaged school property in this week will face “serious disciplinary consequences” and their families will be held financially responsible for damaged devices.
He referred folks to the district’s “Personal Learning Device” agreement posted on its website, somersschools.org.
LeFevre did not say if any “Chromebook Challenge” incidents had actually occurred in the SCSD.
In North Salem, however, there were a couple of kids who were disciplined after trying it, albeit unsuccessfully, according to Middle School/High School Principal Vince DiGrandi.
That took the form of having to write “book reports” on “thermal cascading” after reading up on what lithium-ion batteries are and how to safely use them, he explained.
“We know from these past challenges that students are sometimes tempted to imitate what they see on TikTok,” DiGrandi wrote in a letter to the school community. “We are asking our families to please speak with your children about the hazards of this activity.”
“The potential fire and explosion that could be caused by lithium batteries is extremely dangerous. It puts all students and faculty at risk and is simply unacceptable,” he added.
Also speaking at County Executive Ken Jenkins’ weekly update was Doug Stiller, chief of operations for the county’s Department of Emergency Services.
Do not try to put the fire out. Lithium-ion battery fires burn “extremely hot,” and most extinguishers aren’t effective against them, he said.
Whether at home or in school, the best thing to do is to leave the room, close the door, get yourself and everyone else outside, and call 911.
When firefighters arrive, tell them “exactly where they need to go,” Stiller said, adding: “Isolate it. Get away from it. And leave it for the professionals to take care of it.”
'Assassins' Game
Lighting up laptops isn’t the only risky behavior raising safety concerns this spring.
“Senior Assassin,” started out as a fun, innocent game played by soon-to-be high school graduates or college students and has now been condemned by worried police and school officials.
The goal is to try to “assassinate” or eliminate other players -- usually by soaking them with a water pistol or water balloon – until you are the last one standing.
The game gained popularity in the 2010s. Its exact origins aren’t known, but some trace it to its portrayal in teen-oriented shows such as Gossip Girl.
Videos on social media such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube spread interest to a wider audience.
The potential pitfalls are many.
Skulking around in disguise could frighten folks and trigger large police responses, diverting emergency resources from legitimate calls.
Players could be also putting themselves in danger from armed citizens or police who mistake their water guns for real weapons.
Players are advised to use common sense.
That means using brightly colored water guns, not aiming at people who aren’t playing the game, not wearing costumes, not trespassing on private property or in business areas, avoiding playing after dark, telling their parents/guardians where they’ve going and what they’re doing, and not playing around or in moving cars.
That last bit of advice apparently didn’t take in the case of a 17-year-old Texas boy who fell off the back of a Jeep while playing the game, suffered a head injury, and is now on life support, according to media reports.
Thankfully, nothing tragic has happened in our area, but a couple of Somers teens did find themselves in trouble with the authorities recently.
Somers Police Chief Brian Linkletter confirmed that a couple of traffic summonses had been handed out last week to players for (allegedly) speeding or driving erratically.
“They think it’s harmless, that it’s a game. It’s not,” he said, referring to the possibility that someone could get hurt.
Raising awareness is key and no one should feel embarrassed about reporting things that don’t look quite right.
“See something, say something,” Linkletter reminded folks. “If it’s nothing, we’re happy. If it’s something, we can do something about it.”
The Somers Town Police, a part-time force with headquarters located on Route 139 (Primrose Street) are dispatched by the New York State Police. Emergencies should be reported by dialing 911.
For non-emergencies, call the Somers police at (914) 277-3651.
DiGrandi also had something to say on the matter.
First, that “Senior Assassin” is NOT a school-sponsored event.
In a letter to the school community, he noted that “this has been a yearly, national game that is often played by seniors involving teams of students who are charged with ‘assassinating’ other students by shooting them, off school grounds, with water guns. Often there is a fee to play, and students hide out for up to hours in camouflage or dark clothing, in bushes on student property with water pistols.”
The game “may cause serious consequences” such as injuries and “full police responses,” DiGrandi warned.
“In the past, some students have even ‘hunted’ for their targets at OPTIONS internships; while driving recklessly in cars off school property; and late at night while hiding out in sheds. All of these scenarios have the potential for unintended and serious consequences that I am hoping to avoid,” he added.
(OPTIONS (Opportunities for Professional Training in and out of North Salem) is a senior internship program that provides students with the opportunity to intern in a work setting of their choice.)
DiGrandi said the district has reached out to both the North Salem and Westchester County Police and that he hoped parents would support it by talking with their kids about the situation.
Somers High School Principal Pete Rodrigues issued his annual plea against the tradition.
Emphasizing that the primary concern about the game is “the safety and well-being of all students,” said that the school does NOT endorse or support its playing.
“Unfortunately, there have been instances where playing the game has led to safety risks, such as students playing while riding in or around moving vehicles -- sometimes at high speeds or with erratic driving -- leading to property damage, traffic violations, home invasions, or personal injury,” he said.
According to Rodrigues, there’ve been reports of students hiding on or near private properties, cause distress to homeowners or neighbors.
“While we understand that students might see this activity as harmless fun, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers and unintended consequences that can arise,” he said.
The district reminded folks that participation in the game is “strictly prohibited” on school grounds and school buses, “including during any school-approved events, whether on campus or off, regardless of whether school is in session.”
Students are not permitted to bring water guns onto school property, even if they are not being used on campus.
Also forbidden are the use of school resources such as copiers or the collection of money or distribution of information related to the game.
Those found to be in violation of the school code of conduct “will be subject to appropriate consequences,” he wrote.
The district hoped that the message would encourage “open conversations at home about the importance of safety and the collective desire to protect our students during this lively and important time of year.”
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