TikTok ‘door kick challenge’ prompts Kansas police warning about teen trend

Authorities in Kansas are issuing a warning to parents and homeowners about a “dangerous new TikTok trend” in which teens across the country are putting their lives at risk for the sake of social media fame.

According to the Merriam Police Department, residents in the area have reported several cases of teenagers rushing outside their homes and kicking doors to make it appear as if someone is breaking in, as part of the “door kick challenge.”

“We have received several reports regarding a reckless TikTok challenge called ‘The Door Kick Challenge,'” the department said in a Facebook post. “This trend encourages knocking and kicking on doors to imitate a home invasion.”

Since last weekend, four people at the local Georgetown apartment complex have reported teens participating in the challenge, FOX 4 reported.

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Home surveillance video shared by the Merriam Police Department shows the moment two teenagers can be seen approaching the front door of a home. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)

“They film themselves trying to open the doors of the residences, probably as a prank or to scare the homeowners,” said Sgt. Kristin Jasinski said, according to the outlet.

Ring doorbell camera video released by the department shows two teenagers approaching the front of a home, with one individual kicking in the door while another stands with his cell phone outside – presumably filming the act.

“I know it sounds funny,” Jasinski said, FOX 4 reported. “However, people take this stuff seriously if they’re not aware of it or if they’re not sure of your intentions. We would hate for there to be real consequences.”

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In the video, the individual runs to the front door of the house and kicks it, imitating a home invasion, before the two teens run away. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)

The trend concerns law enforcement officials, who say teens risk criminal charges — such as vandalism and trespassing — or that homeowners may use force to act in self-defense.

In addition to the video, the police department shared footage of a separate incident in which a group of suspected teenagers broke down a resident’s driveway.

“There are dangers on both sides of the door. Obviously we want to keep the owners safe, as well as the people who are participating in these pranks,” Jasinski said.

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In another incident, a group of teenagers allegedly broke a homeowner’s front door frame while participating in the viral “door kick challenge,” according to the Merriam Police Department. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)

“Our biggest concern is that someone will get hurt thinking this is a real home invasion.”

Bradley Cooper, a Shawnee resident at Westbrooke Glen Apartment Homes, told FOX 4 that two teenagers also knocked on his friend’s door at the complex.

“The other day he said to me, ‘I literally had my headphones on, but I saw the door and I could hear it through what I was playing, just direct movement, just boom,'” Cooper said.

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The friend allegedly chased the teens and eventually caught up with one of them – who apologized.

“If someone had a gun, they could shoot through the door,” Cooper said. “Stop, this isn’t fun, you’ll probably get killed.”

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However, authorities are urging homeowners to call police if they think they have been victims of the so-called “prank.”

“Don’t go after these people,” Jasinski said. “We have no way of knowing in real time, until we interact with them and figure out what’s going on, or what’s really going on. We don’t want to put you or anyone involved at greater risk by engaging in some sort of pursuit. So just stay in the house, call the police, let us do our job.”

The Merriam Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.