Hays CISD laptops damaged due to social media challenge
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — School district officials across the country are warning students against a social media trend directing them to short-circuit their school-issued laptops.
Officials said students record themselves short-circuiting their laptops or puncturing the lithium batteries, which causes the battery’s temperature to rise uncontrollably.
The trend made its way to Central Texas and impacted the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.
In an email sent to families on Thursday, Hays CISD said “this is dangerous and damaging. There is a risk of fire, skin burns, and electrical shock – and of course the loss of a Chromebook.”
Hays CISD Spokesperson Tim Savoy said a total of 12 laptops were damaged.
“Please help us by taking a minute today to mention to your children that if they see this social media challenge that they shouldn’t participate. Intentional damage to school district devices will lead to an expensive equipment replacement bill for the student, and possibly worse – having to explain to a judge what they were thinking,” the email read.
Savoy told KXAN those Chromebooks are a little more than $300 each. The student would be responsible to pay that back.
“That’s $3,600 – $4,000 of taxpayer money that was put in jeopardy.”
Tim Savoy, Hays CISD Spokesperson
If the trend continues, Savoy said the consequence might escalate.
“Intentionally damaging public property can be considered a crime,” Savoy said. “We certainly wouldn’t want to have to refer it off to criminal activity.”
KXAN is checking with other local school districts to see if they’ve experienced any issues with this as well. We’ll update this story when we hear back.
