Police warn a resurfaced social media trend called the "door‑kicking challenge" — in which people violently strike front doors, film it and run — can lead to serious injury, major property damage and criminal charges. The Ontario, California, Police Department said it has received a few local calls but no injuries or charges to date, while incidents elsewhere have included shootings and at least one fatality. Authorities urge parents to talk to children, platforms to remove dangerous content, and residents to report suspicious activity.
Police Warn Viral "Door‑Kicking Challenge" Can Turn "From Funny To Fatal" — Parents Urged To Act
Police departments across the United States are warning families about a resurfaced social media stunt known as the "door‑kicking challenge," in which participants violently kick or slam front doors, film the act and flee. Authorities say the prank can quickly escalate into serious injury, significant property damage or criminal charges.
A spokesperson for the Ontario Police Department in Ontario, California, said the trend — typically carried out at night and often by preteens and teenagers — has regained traction online and prompted renewed concern.
What Ontario Police Are Saying
The department has received only a handful of related calls within city limits. "To date, none of our local incidents have resulted in injuries or criminal charges," the spokesperson said, but officers issued a public warning to outline the risks if the trend spreads.
"This behavior is particularly dangerous due to the risk of serious injury to both participants and residents, significant property damage and the potential for escalation with homeowners," the spokesperson said. "Participants may also face serious legal consequences, including arrest and criminal charges such as vandalism or trespassing."
Ontario police also clarified that a video they shared on social media was intended to illustrate the nationwide trend and did not show incidents that occurred in the City of Ontario. "The video includes examples of door‑kicking incidents circulating online from outside our jurisdiction," the spokesperson said.
Examples From Other States
Recent incidents elsewhere demonstrate how dangerous these stunts can become. In North Carolina, police said a juvenile was shot in the leg after a homeowner fired at a vehicle involved in a late‑night ding‑dong‑ditch‑style prank; that homeowner was later arrested on multiple felony charges. In Houston, an 11‑year‑old boy was fatally shot following a doorbell prank, according to local reports.
In Kansas, the Benton Police Department warned families after reports of children running through neighborhoods late at night to ring doorbells or kick doors as part of so‑called "door knock" or "door kick" challenges. Benton Police Chief Kevin Kichler cautioned that even without property damage, encounters can escalate quickly, especially in states with stand‑your‑ground or castle‑doctrine laws that authorize homeowners to use force when they reasonably believe their home is threatened.
Role Of Social Media And Platform Policies
Authorities say social media platforms have helped spread the trend, with videos circulating on sites including TikTok. A TikTok spokesperson told news outlets the platform prohibits content that promotes dangerous behavior likely to cause serious injury or property damage and removes such content when identified.
Police Advice For Families And Residents
Ontario police urged parents and guardians to talk with children about the dangers and legal risks of participating in viral challenges. "We encourage parents and guardians to have conversations with their children about making safe, responsible decisions and to remind them that online trends are never worth risking personal safety, damaging property or jeopardizing future opportunities," the spokesperson said.
Authorities also urged residents to report suspicious activity to police immediately and to discourage minors from taking part in or sharing videos that promote harmful stunts.
Reporting contributed by local news outlets and police departments cited in public statements.
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