A dangerous social media trend is making headlines again as police departments across the U.S. are warning parents and teens about the risks and potential legal consequences of the so-called “Door Kick Challenge.” The prank, which involves teenagers running up to a stranger’s home and kicking the front door as hard as they can before fleeing, is reportedly causing property damage, panic among homeowners, and potential threats to safety in multiple communities.
In Elk Grove, California — just outside of Sacramento — the local police department has responded to at least eight reports of the challenge in the past month alone. Five juveniles have already been arrested in connection with these incidents. According to CBS News Sacramento, two 13-year-olds were arrested last week after allegedly causing over $680 in damage to one resident’s front door. Earlier this month, three other teens were taken into custody for their alleged involvement.
Surveillance footage shows participants wearing masks and riding electric bikes, making it difficult for victims to identify the suspects. In one case, a homeowner reportedly sustained $900 worth of damage to their doorframe. In California, if damage surpasses $950, the crime may be treated as a felony, and parents could be held financially responsible for the cost.
NEW: The chaos from TikTok is spreading like a disease — and now kids are kicking down doors in California like it’s some kind of game.
Five teens — including two 13-year-olds — were arrested in Elk Grove after joining the viral “door kick challenge,” a destructive stunt that’s… pic.twitter.com/zdEJIVaSIs
— Wienerdogwifi (@wienerdogwifi) November 18, 2025
Homeowner Ronnie Monroe told local news that his garage door was kicked in on two separate mornings in September. “Somebody could come out with a gun, and you could never know — these kids could be dead just for a stupid prank,” Monroe told CBS13. His comments echoed growing concerns from both law enforcement and residents who worry the prank could escalate into a life-threatening situation.
Although the Elk Grove Police Department did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital, the incidents are not isolated to California. Law enforcement agencies in Florida have reported similar behavior. In July, a teenager in Belleville, Florida, was caught on a home security camera kicking a front door, reportedly causing about $500 worth of damage. A week earlier, another homeowner, Kevin Jasper, reported a loud bang on his door and feared someone was attempting a break-in.
Two teenagers in Volusia County were also arrested and charged with felonies after allegedly damaging a neighbor’s door. Another case in Hillsborough County involved five juveniles who were accused of not only kicking a door but also firing an Airsoft gun before fleeing the scene, according to the local sheriff’s office.
NEW: 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were arrested for doing the ‘door kicking challenge.’
They kicked in a neighbor’s front door until it broke open
Both are facing felony burglary charges
Jeffery Merthie, 15, told deputies they were “just being stupid.”
Zahmarii… pic.twitter.com/kW91n1NEKb
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) July 8, 2025
Officials across several jurisdictions have expressed concern that the prank could result in tragic outcomes. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood stated, “Imagine being in your home at 2 in the morning, and you are getting these kicking sounds. And in Florida, under the ‘stand your ground’ [law] you are coming out with your gun. Somebody is going to get killed – this isn’t funny.”
Elk Grove PD wants kids to kick the TikTok door kick challenge to the curb before someone gets hurt. Five children were recently arrested for vandalism, two of those 13-year-olds. pic.twitter.com/NginvfRnnL
— Tori Apodaca (@tori_apodaca) November 19, 2025
As viral challenges like this one continue to circulate on social media, law enforcement agencies are urging parents to monitor their children’s online activity and talk to them about the real-world consequences of these pranks. While many teens may see the Door Kick Challenge as a joke or a thrill, the growing number of arrests and reports of property damage show that law enforcement is taking these incidents seriously.
With concerns about safety, legal penalties, and even the possibility of violent retaliation, authorities are hoping to get ahead of the trend before someone gets seriously hurt — or worse.
