Schools
Harmful New Internet ‘Trend’ Led To Evacuation At New Jersey School: Authorities
A teen in New Jersey allegedly tried out a harmful new social media "challenge" – and ended up with a charred Chromebook, authorities say.
BELLEVILLE, NJ — A student at Belleville High School is facing an arson charge after allegedly participating in a social media “challenge” that led to a smoldering laptop and a temporary evacuation on Thursday, authorities say.
Belleville police and firefighters responded to the high school at 9:13 a.m. after getting a report about a fire. Emergency responders found a charred Chromebook computer outside the building near Room 219.
Police said that a staff member saw the device emitting smoke and promptly removed it from the classroom during the evacuation.
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Emergency responders eventually determined that the building was safe to reenter.
A joint investigation by the Belleville Police Department and Belleville Fire Department found that a 15-year-old student intentionally manipulated the device as part of a social media trend. The result? A smoldering laptop and a fire risk, authorities said.
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Police charged the teen with third-degree arson and criminal mischief.
Authorities released a warning for local parents in the wake of the incident:
“The Belleville Police and Fire Departments strongly urge parents and guardians to speak with their children about the dangers of participating in online trends that can result in serious harm or criminal charges. These actions not only endanger the individual involved but also put the safety of others at risk.”
Belleville isn’t the only school district in the area that has found itself having to cope with yet another frustrating “internet challenge.”
Millburn School Superintendent Kathryn Diskin wrote a letter to parents and guardians on Thursday, warning them about a new social media trend that has led to some students intentionally damaging their district-issued Chromebooks.
“This challenge encourages dangerous interactions with Chromebook batteries, causing short circuits that generate smoke and could potentially start a fire,” Diskin said.
“Such actions not only damage the devices, but also put students and others at serious risk of harm,” the superintendent added.
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