Oconto school officer warn of the trend of Dangerous Chromebook Challenge on social media | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1 p.m.

Oconto, Wi (WTAQ-WLUK)-a dangerous trend for social media, in which the students deliberately try to take their chromebooks, has taken the attention of the school administrators in oconto.

The district pursues a proactive approach to prevent a tragedy.

Each of the 300 students of the Oconto Senior High School have chromebooks delivered by districts, which they take home with them every day. A youngest trend that deals with these devices through social media affected school officers.

“You do not know how conducting the fire will generate and whether it will only cause smoke or whether there will actually be another reaction and how quickly people can react to the fact that a person or building can harm,” said Ousd superintendent Emily Miller.

The district sent families through situations in which the students have their chromebooks mankn in in a way that represents a serious fire and security risk.

“We try to take preventive measures to ensure that people do not do this, but they always worry:” Let us bring us an idea of ​​a person and you will try it, “said Miller.” But the other side may draw the people who deal with the person that could happen. “

The trend that becomes viral at Tikok shows the students who force paper brackets, push pens, mechanical pens and other metal objects into the USB connection of their Chromebooks. The campaign leads to a short circuit that can lead to a serious risk of fire.

“The device begins to smoke, the Lithium battery may start fire. If you ever see a lithium battery on fire, it is a very scary situation. It is a very dangerous thing,” said Scott Boucher, IT director of the district.

While no #Chromebook Challenge incidents have taken place on site, Oconto's school officials hope that families have talks about how dangerous it can be.

“If you get something in it and pull them out quickly, you may get a little spark and a little smoke, but many of them hunt things in it and you can't get it out, and as soon as it happens, it is too fast. When you run to get mom and dad, it could be too late,” added Boucher.

In addition to sending communication home, the high school employees also discussed the alarming trend with students.

You can read Miller's full letters below.

Dear Ousd families,

We turn to share an important and urgent security company that affects the whole country, including a number of districts in our region. This week we were consciously aware of a troubling trend on social media platforms, in particular TikTok, which encourages the students to manipulate the school-based chromebook chargers in a way that represents a serious fire and security risk.

According to this recent news report from Connecticut, the trend is to insert a piece of metal into a chromebook charger as a coins while connected. This action can cause sparks, fires, electrical damage and even personal injury. Several school districts have already reported incidents that lead to damage to devices and triggering fire alarms. Fortunately, no serious injuries have yet been reported, but the damage potential is significant.

We ask you to take a few moments to talk to your child about this trend. Please emphasize:

The serious danger that she represents her safety and the security of others.

The long -term consequences of participation in such behavior that includes possible disciplinary measures and reimbursement for damaged property.

The importance of those responsible for technology and responsibility as online and offline.

In the Oconto Unified School District, the security of the students has the highest priority. We actively monitor this behavior and react firmly to all incidents that affect this dangerous activity. In the meantime, our employees also talk to students about the risks and the strengthening of expectations for the safe and responsible use of school -based devices.

If you have any questions or concerns or if your child has information about this problem, we recommend that you contact your building school director or contact us directly.

Thank you for your partnership to keep our students safely and up to date.

Emily Miller, superintendent