Police Warn Parents as ‘Door Kick Challenge’ Prank Spreads Across the Country

Police in Irvine, California, are urging parents to talk to their children about a social media trend known as the “door kick challenge,” a prank that has led to property damage, criminal charges and at least one armed confrontation.

The stunt is an escalated version of the old “ding-dong ditch” prank. Instead of simply ringing a doorbell and running away, participants kick or slam into a homeowner’s front door, film the act, and post it online before fleeing.

Irvine police say the trend has surged in recent weeks. “The last month alone we’ve had over 20 calls of people reporting seeing either kids kicking the doors or neighbors who have actually had their door kicked calling in to us,” said Officer Ziggy Azarcon, a public information officer for the Irvine Police Department.

“If there’s damage to the door, this can rise to the level of crime,” Azarcon said. “We’re seeing some of the damages here and we are taking crime reports for vandalism.”

The department’s Youth Services Unit is investigating reported incidents and trying to identify the teens involved. Officials also noted that parents who knowingly allow a minor to participate can be held legally responsible if a crime results.

A Dangerous Confrontation in Illinois

Police say the bigger danger isn’t property damage, it’s the possibility that a homeowner mistakes the prank for a home invasion and responds with force. That risk became real in Wilmette, Illinois, in late October, when a homeowner grabbed a firearm, got in his car and chased three teenagers after they pounded on his front door late one evening, according to a report from the Record. No one was shot, but the homeowner was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, because although he legally owned the firearm, he was not permitted to carry it in that manner.

“There are kids kicking on doors and scaring these residents who might take matters into their own hands, so we’re really trying to talk to parents and get the word out to talk to their children and explain to them the dangers of doing this ‘door kick challenge,'” Azarcon said.

“What might get a few laughs or likes online can have very real consequences offline.”

Police summed up the range of possible outcomes bluntly: “A damaged door, a scared homeowner, a dangerous confrontation, criminal charges, or someone getting seriously hurt can all be part of the outcome.”

Authorities in both Orange County and the Chicago suburbs are asking parents to have direct conversations with their children about the risks before the trend spreads further.