Kansas officials are raising alarms about a perilous TikTok trend that is sweeping across the nation, putting teenagers in harm’s way as they chase viral fame. This trend, dubbed the “door kick challenge,” is prompting serious concerns among parents and homeowners alike.
Reports have emerged from the Merriam Police Department, highlighting incidents where teens are running up to homes and forcefully kicking doors, creating the illusion of a break-in. This reckless activity is gaining traction as part of a social media stunt.
The department took to Facebook to address the issue, stating, “We’ve received multiple reports about a reckless TikTok challenge called ‘The Door Kick Challenge.’ This trend encourages pounding and kicking on doors to mimic a home invasion.”
Local residents, particularly in the Georgetown apartment complex, have been affected, with four reports of such behavior surfacing since last weekend, according to FOX 4. This has understandably left many feeling unsettled in their own homes.
The Merriam Police Department shared home surveillance footage on Facebook, capturing two teens as they approach and target a front door. This has further illustrated the disruptive nature of the trend.
Sgt. Kristin Jasinski commented on the situation, explaining, “They’re videotaping themselves attempting to kick open residential doors, presumably as a prank or to scare the homeowners,” as reported by the outlet.
Ring doorbell camera video released by the department shows a pair of teens approaching the front of a home, with one individual kicking the door while another stands with their cellphone out – presumably filming the act.
“I know it can seem funny,” Jasinski said, FOX 4 reported. “However, people do take things seriously like that if they’re not aware of these things happening, or they’re unsure what your intentions are. We would hate for there to be real-life consequences.”
In the video, the individual runs to the front door of the home and kicks it, mimicking a home invasion, before both teens run off. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)
The trend is concerning law enforcement officials, who say the teens risk criminal charges – such as vandalism and trespassing – or homeowners may use force to act in self-defense.
In addition to the video, the police department shared images from a separate incident in which a group of suspected teens broke the frame of a resident’s entryway.
“There’s dangers on both sides of the door. Obviously, we want to keep the homeowners safe, as well as the people that are participating in these pranks,” Jasinski said.
In a separate incident, a group of teens allegedly broke the frame of a homeowner’s front door while participating in the viral “door kick challenge,” according to the Merriam Police Department. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)
“Our biggest concern is that someone would be injured in the course of thinking that this was a real home invasion.”
Bradley Cooper, a resident of Shawnee at Westbrooke Glen Apartment Homes, told FOX 4 a pair of teens also struck his friend’s door in the complex.
“The other day he’s like, ‘I literally had my headset on, but I saw the door and could hear it through what I was playing, just straight move, just boom,’” Cooper said.
The friend reportedly chased the teens down and ultimately caught up with one – who apologized.
“If someone had a gun they could shoot through the door,” Cooper said. “Stop, it’s not fun, you’re going to get yourself probably killed.”
However, authorities are urging homeowners to call the police if they believe they have fallen victim to the so-called “prank.”
“Don’t pursue these people,” Jasinski said. “There’s no way for us to know in real time, until we interact with them and figure out what’s happening, or what’s actually going on. We don’t want to put you or the people involved at greater risk, engaging in some sort of pursuit. So, just stay in the house, call police, let us do our job.”
The Merriam Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
