Toronto School Board Warns of Potentially Hazardous Social Media Trends: Incidents of Laptop Damage and Child Burns Reported
The Toronto Catholic District School Board has issued a warning to parents about three potentially hazardous social media trends that have reportedly caused injuries and property damage among students. These trends, labeled the Paperclip, Chromebook, and Senior Assassin challenges, have gained popularity among teens and are currently sweeping through Ontario schools.
Friday saw the school board notify parents about these trends, which involve students participating in dangerous activities and posting videos of them online. These activities, according to the board, can present significant health and safety risks to students and the entire school community.
The Paperclip challenge entails placing metallic objects, such as paper clips, into electrical outlets and dropping coins on the prongs to produce electrical sparks. This practice poses a risk of electrical shock, burns, and the potential for fires to break out.
Meanwhile, the Chromebook challenge involves putting metal objects into USB ports, causing short-circuits and leading to overheating, burns, or even fires.
The Senior Assassin Challenge encourages students to attempt to "eliminate" one another using water guns, Nerf projectiles, or replica firearms in public areas. This act could potentially trigger an emergency response if a replica firearm is mistaken for a real weapon.
The school board emphasized that these dangerous activities are strictly prohibited, and students involved may face disciplinary measures, including suspension. Additionally, parents may be held accountable for any damage caused.
Injuries and suspensions have already been reported among TCDSB students for participating in these activities on school property.
Some principals at the Toronto District School Board have raised concerns about the Senior Assassin Challenge, while the board claims it has yet to receive reports about the Paperclip and Chromebook challenges. Last week, Ontario's fire marshal stated that the Chromebook challenge has already led to fire incidents.
The city of Pembroke in eastern Ontario has also issued a warning about these trends, stating they are putting lives and schools at risk. The Office of the Fire Marshal has urged parents to discuss the dangers and consequences of these challenges with their teenage children, describing them as a serious fire hazard.
- Beyond the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the Office of the Fire Marshal in Pembroke, eastern Ontario, has also warned parents about three dangerous social media trends, emphasizing the risks they pose to student health, safety, and school property.
- As the media spreads news about these trends, known as the Paperclip, Chromebook, and Senior Assassin challenges, it is crucial for community leaders, including school boards and fire marshals, to raise awareness about their potential hazards.
- Education and self-development platforms can play a role in this effort, providing resources for parents and students to learn about these trends and understand the consequences of participating in them.
- General news outlets should continue to monitor these issues and report on any incidents or new developments related to the damaging effects of these social media challenges on schools and students' health.
