“The F Students are Inventors”: More Than Just a Meme

Image via Mike Segar

“The F Students are Inventors” is a viral meme started by fitness influencer Ben Azoulay, emphasizing the creativity and bright future for the “F students” in society. The original video of the meme began in mid-April on TikTok and Instagram reels, later instigating more harm and danger intended by the creator. The catchphrase “the F students are inventors” was only ever intended to portray the “dumb” innovations made by students to add to the ironic effect.

However, in response to this meme, many individuals, especially school staff and other peers, express concern about the extent to which many students go to achieve this audience interaction and response. Unlike other TikTok trends, “the F students are inventors” is found to be a hazard to many public schools and reflects the irresponsibility and gullibility of many students.

Tweeted as “#ChromebookChallenge”, students force objects into the electrical ports of their school-issued Chromebooks, resulting in them short-circuiting and even causing fires. Items lodged include gum wrappers, push pins, paper clips, nails, and mechanical lead.

District staff members are unaware of the reason behind these dangerous attempts, but pinpoint them to missing school and potentially missing class to evacuate and do less work. However, several videos tagged with “the F students are inventors” portray students ruining their Chromebooks in pursuit of innovation to avoid responsibility for being reckless.

Schools have taken action against these behaviors by establishing new orders and implementing rules that result in consequences for students who misuse school property through suspension and, in worst cases, expulsion.