Rhode Island police department issues warnings on dangerous TikTok trend

A local police department is warning parents concerning a social media challenge that is making the rounds.

According to the Cumberland Police Department, a dangerous TikTok trend called the “Chromebook Challenge” is circulating among students — and it’s something every parent should know about.

This challenge encourages kids to take apart or intentionally damage their school-issued Chromebooks, sometimes by trying to short-circuit internal parts. What may seem like a “fun experiment” online can quickly turn into something much more serious:

Risk of electrical shock or fire
Permanent damage to expensive school equipment
Disciplinary actions at school — and even legal consequences

As parents, we know how easily kids can be influenced by what they see online. That’s why it’s so important to:

Talk to your child about online trends and peer pressure
Check in on what they’re watching and sharing on TikTok and other apps
Remind them that school devices are tools for learning — not toys for social media stunts