New Jersey Teen Faces Arson Charges After TikTok Stunt Empties School
A teenager is now looking at serious charges after a dangerous TikTok challenge backfired at Belleville High School in New Jersey. The 15-year-old put metal objects into a Chromebook’s USB…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 13: In this photo illustration, the TikTok app is seen on a phone on March 13, 2024 in New York City. Congress is set to vote and pass a bill that could ban the popular app TikTok nationwide and be sent to the Senate for a vote. The bill would force the Chinese firm ByteDance to divest from TikTok and other applications that it owns within six months after passage of the bill or face a ban. Lawmakers argue that ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government making the app a national security threat. (Photo Illustration by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
A teenager is now looking at serious charges after a dangerous TikTok challenge backfired at Belleville High School in New Jersey. The 15-year-old put metal objects into a Chromebook's USB port, creating smoke that led to a complete building evacuation Thursday morning.
6ABC reported, last Thursday morning, staff noticed smoke coming from the device. They quickly moved it outside the classroom. When emergency crews showed up, they discovered the broken laptop and got everyone out of the building.
The incident comes from a viral "Chromebook Challenge" making rounds on social media platforms. Kids stick things like paper clips, pencils, and foil into USB ports until they spark and break.
Besides arson charges, the student is also facing extra counts of criminal mischief. Fire officials across New Jersey are warning about the dangers of electrical shock from this trend.
When metal touches USB ports, fires can spread through school buildings quickly. Students could get burned, breathe in smoke, and cause big disruptions that affect hundreds of other kids.
Officials are asking parents to keep an eye on their kids' social media and talk about why these viral challenges put people in danger. School staff have increased their device monitoring to catch tampering early.
While Essex County prosecutors look into the case, school officials are planning discussions about dangerous social media dares that break rules or could hurt others.
