Over the years, teachers have struggled with destructive student behavior. While common targets in the past included textbooks and desks, students are now beginning to intentionally damage school-issued Chromebooks. With this comes multiple hazards, including potential fires and exposure to toxic chemicals, leading schools to impose stricter rules on this type of destruction.
Encouraged by an online trend, students across the country have been inserting graphite, or common pencil lead, into the USB-A socket of school-issued Chromebooks with the intention of shorting out interior components, causing visible damage to the device. If done correctly, this action can cause electrical fires and lead to the expulsion of battery acid.
Many students who have participated in this trend attempt to frame the destruction as an accident to avoid accountability and punishment. If accidental, KPS will cover most of the cost of a new Chromebook and issue a warning. However, if evidence is found of intentionality, such as residual graphite in a socket, the student will be made to pay full price for repair or replacement.
“Last week, Mr. Aguinaga made an announcement about people having to pay full price for the damages, so I think people are just not turning them in,” said A.V. librarian assistant Skylar Lewis.
These challenges have brought widespread concern to many at the school. Students worry that our school will be the next wave of people to participate in this event.
Another issue with students electrically damaging Chromebooks is the toxic fumes from the lithium battery on the inside of the laptop. Lithium, when exposed to moisture, reacts intensely, often catching fire and releasing toxic gases, which are dangerous for any person present and exposed.
The punishments for committing this type of destruction are becoming more and more severe, as schools have to pay the cost of replacement for every Chromebook. The first time a Chromebook is damaged, if it is an accident, the price of the repair is $25. After that, the student has to pay for the entirety of the damages, which is up to $600 on the newer models.
“It would be a report to law enforcement, for anything in category three – the highest level of offense in the code of conduct,” said Aguinaga. “It could mean the removal of a school [student] by a school administrator for 10 days, or alternative placement, potentially, juvenile court petition, exclusion, or expulsion.
As a result of trends like these, the technology department is investigating every Chromebook that is turned in for repairs. That way, they can be sure that all intentional destruction is appropriately punished.
“There’s a difference between something being broken accidentally and purposely burning something to the point of its destruction,” said Aguinaga.
