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Weston warns families after TikTok trend prompts Chromebook‑sparking incidents elsewhere; district issues guidance
Summary
District officials alerted staff and families about a TikTok trend that uses graphite pens to short Chromebook ports; staff said the district has not had related incidents but communicated warnings and safety guidance after a nearby student in Plainville was hospitalized.
Weston School District staff alerted families and staff about a safety trend on TikTok that encourages students to short Chromebook ports with graphite pens, a practice that can cause sparks and fires.
Dan, a district staff member, said the trend spread quickly and that other Connecticut districts have reported incidents; Jim noted a Plainville student was hospitalized for severe burns after trying the stunt. The district sent out quick communications to families and staff to warn that the behavior is both dangerous and potentially costly.
Why it matters: District officials said a Chromebook contains a lithium battery that can catch fire if compromised, creating a risk of severe injury and property damage. The committee emphasized the need for proactive communication and recommended messaging that stresses both safety and the financial consequences of damaging district devices.
District response: Staff said they circulated guidance to families and staff within minutes of receiving state intelligence reports. Committee members praised the rapid communication and asked staff to continue monitoring statewide trends and coordinate messaging with police when appropriate.
Related safety notes: Committee members also raised concerns about unsafe e‑bike operation on school property; staff said they had issued a separate communication about e‑bike safety and were coordinating with the police department on enforcement.
