US teenagers charged over 'Penny Challenge' internet craze

The students deliberately caused power outlets to short circuit. Photo credit: YouTube
The students deliberately caused power outlets to short circuit. Photo credit: YouTube

Two Massachusetts high school students have been charged after attempting the viral internet craze the 'Penny Challenge'.

The dare involves trying to create a spark by placing a coin on the exposed prongs of a charger plugged part-way into a wall.

The 15 and 16-year-old males - who cannot be named - were charged with malicious destruction of property and 'attempting to burn a public building' last month.

School officials called police to the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School where the students had damaged multiple outlets by deliberately causing them to short circuit.

There were no reported injuries.

Hanson County police chief Michael Miksch told Boston 25 News the 'Penny Challenge' "is not just a harmless prank".

"Causing an outlet to short circuit this way can cause serious injury and could potentially start a fire," he said.

"We are taking this issue seriously and anyone identified doing this will be charged criminally".