A viral TikTok trend, known as the “Door Kick Challenge” or “Door Knock Challenge,” is causing alarm among law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Participants — typically teenagers — kick or aggressively bang on random residential doors, often at night, then run away. Though reminiscent of the traditional “ding-dong ditch” prank, this challenge has escalated to significant property damage and real safety concerns.
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Why is law enforcement concerned?
Authorities across the United States have highlighted the serious legal and safety risks associated with this viral challenge in recent months. Russell Klumpp of the Topeka Police Department in Kansas noted, “There’s a criminal element. More disturbing however, and the reason for this safety message, is the dangers that are associated with conduct in these challenges. So, when you go to a random residence and you start kicking on the door, residents inside can easily mistake that for an attempted burglary, somebody trying to break into their home and cause them harm.”
Klumpp goes on to state that homeowners can respond to the threat of a perceived intruder in a number of ways, including shooting the perceived intruder.
Police departments, including in South Fulton, Georgia, have issued strong warnings, emphasizing, “Not only is this illegal and classified as criminal trespassing or attempted burglary, but it also puts everyone involved at serious risk.”
Real-world consequences
Multiple incidents nationwide illustrate the challenge’s dangers. In DeBary, Florida, two teens were charged with felony burglary after kicking open a homeowner’s door. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood bluntly warned, “That’s a good way to end up dead, especially in Florida,” citing the state’s Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners to use lethal force against perceived intruders.
Additionally, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida reported juveniles kicking a door and firing an airsoft gun, significantly increasing the risk of a dangerous confrontation.
Nationwide incidents highlight scope of issue
Outside of Florida, reports from multiple states underscore how widespread and serious the challenge has become:
- Pennsylvania: In Bucks County, incidents involving severe door damage prompted investigations. The Fleetwood Police Department warned, “While ‘ding-dong ditch’ has been a hallmark for decades, today’s youth have taken things to a more serious level by kicking at doors and ultimately causing damage.”
- Texas: The Fort Worth Police Department put out a community warning after receiving more than 20 reports of the challenge, stating, “It is imperative that individuals partaking in this trend understand that even if no burglary or theft occur, this behavior is illegal and considered vandalism and can lead to criminal charges. More critically, it can be mistaken as an attempted break-in, potentially prompting dangerous or defensive responses from homeowners.”
- Michigan: Police in Van Buren Township responded to two separate incidents involving juveniles, resulting in over $1,000 in damage. The involved youths now face felony charges for property destruction.
- Kentucky: After a resident was awoken in the middle of the night, the Louisville Police Department issued a strong warning: “Anyone participating in this type of behavior is certainly risking their own life,” said LMPD Spokesperson John Bradley. ”A resident could easily assume resorting to deadly force against the person is the next appropriate course of action to protect themselves from what they believe may be an intruder. This type of behavior is stupid and dangerous.”
- Ohio: Police in Byesville investigated a series of door-kicking incidents, warning that such actions might meet burglary criteria in “stand-your-ground” jurisdictions, potentially leading to deadly confrontations.
- California: The Manhattan Beach Police Department issued warnings after a group of teenagers kicked a resident’s door twice in one early morning incident, urging parents to discuss legal consequences with their children.
- Wisconsin: Similar incidents have happened throughout the state. In July, the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office reported at least five incidents tied to the challenge. In one of those incidents, a homeowner told TMJ4 they grabbed their gun to confront the participants.
- Nevada: In Las Vegas, homeowner Tyler Reggie told KVVU that they had $5,000 worth of property damage after being targeted by pranksters early in the morning.
Where did the ‘Door Kick Challenge’ originate?
While the challenge is currently gaining traction again on social media, it first gained attention in 2021. A similar trend, sometimes referred to as the “heartbeat challenge,” emerged among college students and involved kicking or pounding on doors to the beat of Kesha’s 2012 song “Die Young.”
The trend first started in college dorms with videos from that time showing participants forcefully striking dorm or apartment doors in sync with the song’s drumbeat — sometimes kicking them hard enough to open the door entirely. Though that version of the challenge faded, the behavior has reemerged in neighborhoods across the country, now often without the musical element.
How parents can help
Authorities urge parents to proactively address these risky trends with their children. Open dialogues about the consequences of online trends can help prevent tragic outcomes.
With the “Door Kick Challenge” gaining momentum again, law enforcement leaders hope heightened awareness and active parental engagement will curb dangerous behaviors before they lead to further tragedies.
