School officials say TikTok trend has students forcing paper clips, pushpins into Chromebooks

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - School and fire officials in Connecticut are warning parents of a potentially dangerous TikTok trend involving students who force items, like paper clips and pushpins, into Chromebook devices to force an electrical short circuit.

Rocky Hill Public Schools Superintendent Mark Zito says he was informed by three neighboring districts of the ongoing trend.

“We received notice from three neighboring school districts about an ongoing TikTok trend influencing students to force electrical short circuits on Chromebook devices by inserting items such as paper clips, pencil graphite, pushpins, folded metallic gum wrappers, aluminum foil, etc., into the USB port. This action can spark or puncture the lithium battery in the device and poses a serious fire risk,” Zito said.

Zito says staff have been informed of the trend and are on the lookout for anyone inserting foreign devices into a Chromebook, forcibly removing keys from the keyboard or tampering with a device in any other way.

He also reached out to neighboring police and fire departments.

Last week, Newington High School was evacuated after a laptop fire.

The superintendent says it’s believed that the fire was caused by the same trend as a student tried to make a “how to” video.

According to the Rocky Hill fire chief, Cromwell High School was evacuated on Monday for the same issue.

The superintendent from Cromwell schools says the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but he believes a few students took part in the trend.

“The moment I got the email, my first concern was what if my daughter does the same thing and the Chromebook bursts into flames?” Raja Lasma Has, a parent in Rocky Hill, said.

A school in Derby was also forced to evacuate due to the trend.

School and law enforcement officials say participating in the trend could lead to charges of vandalism or arson.

Zito says any Rocky Hill students engaging in the trend could face criminal charges and significant consequences at school, including suspension or expulsion.

He is encouraging parents to talk to their children about the dangers and consequences of the TikTok trend.

“We definitely talked about it with her today, but we do with all of the TikTok trends, and I also monitor her social media pretty carefully,” said parent Kathleen Harding.

Bristol’s superintendent also sent out a proactive warning after hearing about the incidents at other schools.

Cromwell’s superintendent added that there will be consequences from both the school and police for the students responsible for Monday’s fire.

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