OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – School districts across Central Florida are warning parents about a dangerous new TikTok challenge that encourages students to intentionally damage their district-issued Chromebooks.
Videos on TikTok show students burning, breaking or otherwise destroying the laptops — all for social media attention. But school officials are making it clear that the damage won’t simply be overlooked.
In a message sent to parents, Osceola County school officials said students who participate in the challenge will face serious consequences.
“Parents, we need to bring to your attention a concerning new TikTok challenge… If your child is found to have participated in this challenge, you will be held financially responsible for any damages incurred,” the district’s message reads.
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Beyond the financial impact, students who are caught damaging school property could face severe disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion and even criminal charges.
Marquis Dickens, a News 6 IT analyst, said these devices are critical for learning, and damaging them affects not only the students involved but also their peers and educators.
“These are educational tools, not toys,” Dickens said. “Destroying them disrupts learning and creates unnecessary costs for families and districts.”
The warning from Osceola County isn’t the only one. School officials in Orange County also sent a message to parents, emphasizing the danger of the challenge.
“This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and could result in injuries to students or staff,” the district’s message reads.
School leaders are urging parents to talk with their children about the risks of following dangerous social media challenges before it’s too late.