LEARNED, IT IS ALREADY HITTING OKLAHOMA CLASSROOMS. WHEN YOU SEARCH THE CHROMEBOOK CHALLENGE IN THE TIKTOK APP, A WARNING PAGE COMES UP WITH A LINK TO RESOURCES FOR PARTICIPATING IN ONLINE CHALLENGES. WHILE THE VIDEOS MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN FROM THE APP, THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE IN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. YUKON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONFIRMS NINE OF THE DISTRICT’S CHROMEBOOKS ARE OUT OF COMMISSION AFTER MULTIPLE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTEMPTED THE CHALLENGE THEMSELVES. THEY ARE TAKING OBJECTS LIKE PAPER CLIPS, THE ENDS OF PENCILS, ANYTHING THAT’S CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, PRETTY MUCH, AND TRYING TO PUT IT INTO THE USB CHARGING PORT. THE CHALLENGE HAS LED TO SPARKS AND FIRES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IN THIS CASE, THE LAPTOPS ARE INOPERABLE AND NOT A CHEAP REPLACEMENT. ABOUT $300 A DEVICE. SO THAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PARENTS. THEY’RE NOT THE ONLY DISTRICT FACING DAMAGE. OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONFIRMING TO KOCO FRIDAY THEY’VE ONLY SEEN A FEW ISOLATED INCIDENTS. THEIR I.T. DEPARTMENT IS NOW CALLING ON PARENTS TO TALK TO THEIR KIDS ABOUT THE RISKS THAT COME WITH THESE VIRAL CHALLENGES. MEANTIME, MIDDLE CITY IS GETTING AHEAD OF THE DAMAGE. SHARING THIS STATEMENT ONLINE WARNING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN COM
Dangerous Chromebook challenge impacting Oklahoma schools
A viral social media trend encouraging students to damage their Chromebooks has reached Oklahoma schools, causing significant destruction and prompting warnings from district officials.
Updated: 10:15 PM CDT May 9, 2025
A dangerous social media trend known as the Chromebook Challenge has reached Oklahoma schools, prompting district officials to warn parents and students about the risks associated with the viral activity.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelYukon Public Schools confirmed that nine Chromebooks are out of commission after multiple middle and high school students attempted the challenge. “They are taking objects like paperclips, the ends of pencils, anything that’s a conductive material pretty much, and trying to put into the USB charging port,” said Jason McDaniel, chief information and technology officer for the district.The challenge has led to sparks and fires in other parts of the country, and in this case, the laptops are inoperable and costly to replace. “About $300 a device, that’s a responsibility of the parents,” said McDaniel.Oklahoma City Public Schools reported a few isolated incidents and urged parents to discuss the risks of viral challenges with their children. “We urge families to talk with their children about the real-world consequences of online trends that encourage destructive behavior, and we remain committed to educating and protecting our students in both the digital and physical space,” said Eric Hileman, executive director of IT for Oklahoma City Public Schools.Meanwhile, Mid-Del Public Schools are proactively warning students about the consequences of participating in the challenge. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.A statement shared online reads, “tampering with the device in this way is considered destruction of school property and may be treated as vandalism or arson under district policy and local law. Students found engaging in this behavior will face serious disciplinary consequences.”Top HeadlinesPerson dies after car crashes into riverbank in west Oklahoma CityPope Leo XIV brings hope to Chicago sports fans, and the Knicks for their Villanova tiesCushing chase suspect shot and killed after firing at officers, OHP saysState Superintendent Ryan Walters says he’s considering running for Oklahoma governorTeenager hit by vehicle while walking to school in Moore, police say
A dangerous social media trend known as the Chromebook Challenge has reached Oklahoma schools, prompting district officials to warn parents and students about the risks associated with the viral activity.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
Yukon Public Schools confirmed that nine Chromebooks are out of commission after multiple middle and high school students attempted the challenge.
“They are taking objects like paperclips, the ends of pencils, anything that’s a conductive material pretty much, and trying to put into the USB charging port,” said Jason McDaniel, chief information and technology officer for the district.
The challenge has led to sparks and fires in other parts of the country, and in this case, the laptops are inoperable and costly to replace.
“About $300 a device, that’s a responsibility of the parents,” said McDaniel.
Oklahoma City Public Schools reported a few isolated incidents and urged parents to discuss the risks of viral challenges with their children.
“We urge families to talk with their children about the real-world consequences of online trends that encourage destructive behavior, and we remain committed to educating and protecting our students in both the digital and physical space,” said Eric Hileman, executive director of IT for Oklahoma City Public Schools.
Meanwhile, Mid-Del Public Schools are proactively warning students about the consequences of participating in the challenge.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
A statement shared online reads, “tampering with the device in this way is considered destruction of school property and may be treated as vandalism or arson under district policy and local law. Students found engaging in this behavior will face serious disciplinary consequences.”
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