As we enter 2016, kids’ “new toys” from the holidays sometimes end up causing more destruction than joy. This year, a popular item on kids’ Christmas lists was a hoverboard. This new technology is a segway type of board that is a self-balancing scooter. It’s a way for kids to both get around quickly and have fun.

However, these toys are not always fun. Once the initial board was created, other companies began producing “knock-offs,” or less expensive ones. The batteries used to make these scooters resemble that of a ‘90s cell phone. These batteries have proven to be dangerous and even can explode or catch fire. The boards can range anywhere from $200 to almost $1,000.

Salve Regina University recently banned hoverboards from all areas on campus after a safety investigation concluded the scooters to be explosive. Students of all ages are getting hoverboards and the country is seeing more and more explosions. In Louisiana, a two-wheeler exploded, burning down a house. There have been many reports of the boards bursting into flames while being ridden. Also, the difficulty of riding can cause the segways to crash, damaging the internal wiring or batteries.

Senior Kate Thomas, who does not have a hoverboard, said she feels that they are overpriced and “a waste of money.” She knows people who have hoverboards and has ridden one before. She says she would not get much use out of it other than occasionally riding it for fun once or twice a day. She thinks that they are entertaining to ride, but risking destruction of a household is a big chance for a little fun.

Sophomore Robby Green saved up his money and bought himself a hoverboard. Green said that even though he really enjoys the board, it “isn’t really worth the money.” Green’s friends love to use it when they come over and he said that they wish they had one. He said he only uses it for a few minutes at a time and once, maybe twice a day. For the amount of money he spent, he said he is not getting enough use out of the board to make it worth it.

The student poll sent out came back with surprising results. Out of the 290 responses received, 95 percent did not have a hoverboard. This could be because of the price or parents’ views on the new technology. There were an even amount of students who felt that the scooters were not safe and those who did not. Sixty percent of students had heard of the dangerous situations occurring with these boards. Despite that, 60 percent of students said they would still want a hoverboard even if they knew of the dangers. Seventy percent did say that they thought the boards were not fairly priced.