Long Beach Student Arrested in Viral Chromebook Challenge Incident

LONG BEACH, California — A 13-year-old student was arrested on May 10, 2025, on suspicion of participating in the dangerous “Chromebook challenge,” a viral trend that encourages students to damage school-issued laptops. The incident occurred at Perry Lindsey Academy, where the student allegedly inserted an object into the charging port of a Chromebook, causing significant damage.

According to the Long Beach Police Department, no injuries were reported from the incident. However, the Long Beach Unified School District confirmed that the Chromebook was damaged. The district has not disclosed if the student will face financial responsibility for the damaged device.

This incident is part of a growing trend where students use metallic objects such as paperclips or pencils to short-circuit Chromebooks, causing sparks or smoke. Videos of these incidents have been widely shared on social media platforms like TikTok, despite the challenge being deemed unsafe.

The Long Beach Unified School District is taking preventative measures, urging parents to talk with their children about the risks associated with social media challenges. “Inserting objects into charging ports is unsafe and can lead to significant disciplinary action and legal consequences,” the district stated. They emphasized the importance of discussing responsible digital behavior with students.

Similar incidents have been reported nationwide, resulting in classroom evacuations and even fires. School officials across multiple states have issued warnings to parents and students regarding the challenge. In one notable case in Colorado, a student’s attempt to participate resulted in toxic smoke causing an evacuation and response from firefighters.

As the school year progresses, officials encourage students to engage in safe and constructive online activities, reminding them of the potential dangers associated with viral trends.