Fire Department warns about dangerous TikTok challenge spreading to Pikes Peak area schools

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) says they've been alerted of at least 16 dangerous instances involving a TikTok challenge.

CSFD says students in the Pikes Peak region have been encouraged through social media to manipulate the hardware on their computers, causing them to overheat. They say it causes the computer to spark, smoke, or catch on fire, emitting toxic fumes.

The fire department says students are attempting this at school. Some have been referred to the CSFD Youth Firesetter Intervention Program.

"What we've seen are just minor cases and incidents, but we know that [there is] ... the potential for further damage and harm from fires, whether it's in a school setting or specifically in a home," Daiko Abe with Colorado Springs Fire said.

Incidents tied to the social media trend have also been reported across the state. The Boulder Valley School District shared photos of one damaged laptop. They say there have been six reported incidents in their district so far.

For now, CSFD says the incidents have been "relatively minor," though they say the challenge poses serious risks, including fire, battery explosions, and toxic fume release. Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly difficult to put out, they said.

"The smoke causes potential inhalation harm ... with the toxic fumes," Abe said. "That's one of our concerns as well, is not just the fire issue, but also just the health issues from the smoke."

The Colorado Springs Police Department said in part that juveniles who participated in this challenge could face criminal charges of arson and criminal mischief. They did not confirm if any person had been charged in relation to the trend.

"CSPD has been made aware of a dangerous TikTok trend that encourages students to insert paper clips or pencil lead into Chromebooks and electrical outlets. This behavior is extremely hazardous and may result in serious injury, damage to school property, and disciplinary consequences. Additionally, students who engage in such actions could face criminal charges, including arson and/or criminal mischief, depending on the severity of the incident. CSPD strongly urges all parents to speak with their children about the risks involved and to discourage participation in these types of social media challenges. Safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your partnership in helping to keep our school community safe.” – Ira Cronin, Public Relations Manager, CSPD

Academy District 20 did not confirm if any of the 16 incidents happened in their district:

"Academy District 20 is aware of a troubling social media trend, commonly referred to as the “Chromebook Challenge." We are supporting our principals in communicating with families and students to prevent future incidents. Consistent with our District handbooks and processes, ASD20 staff also consistently work to monitor device use and educate students about the consequences of any destructive behavior. Safety is our top priority. We are committed to meeting this priority and will continue to partner with families on reinforcing the importance of respectful, responsible behavior—both online and at school." - Academy District 20 spokesperson