Not Just Ding-Dong Ditch: "Door Kick" Challenge Prompts Strong Warning of Injury or Death

Risk of Homeowner Gunfire Due to Mistaken Home Invasion
Police Urge Parents to Monitor SNS Content
Increase in Door Damage and Costly Repairs

Law enforcement authorities in the United States have issued warnings regarding the so-called 'Door Kick' challenge, which is spreading nationwide through social networking services (SNS) such as TikTok. On December 26, Yonhap News TV, citing FOX11 and others, reported that California police have indicated a strong response to the SNS trend known as the 'Door Kick' or 'Door Knock' challenge.

'Door kicking' is the act of randomly selecting someone else's front door or garage door, kicking or banging it forcefully, and then fleeing, with the footage shared on social media. YouTube channel 'Inside Edition'

'Door kick' refers to the act of teenagers randomly selecting someone else's house front door or garage door, kicking or knocking on it forcefully, then fleeing while recording the scene and sharing it on SNS. This is a much more violent act than the previous prank of ringing the doorbell and running away, known as 'ding-dong ditch,' and it has been spreading rapidly as part of so-called 'clout chasing,' with participants seeking higher view counts and 'likes.'

Police in several states, including California, Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey, have warned that this behavior is not just a prank but could lead to felony charges. In fact, there have already been reports in some areas of teenagers being arrested and facing criminal prosecution. Police have pointed out that the loud sound of kicking a door could be mistaken for a robbery or attempted home invasion, increasing the likelihood that homeowners may call 911 or use physical force or weapons in self-defense. There have been cases where this has resulted in serious injury or death.

The Door Kick Challenge is a much more violent act than the 'ding-dong ditch' prank of ringing the doorbell and running away, causing many incidents and accidents. YouTube channel 'Inside Edition'

In May of last year in Virginia, an 18-year-old teenager was killed, and in July of this year in Houston, a teenager engaging in a similar prank was shot and killed by a homeowner. Law enforcement authorities are concerned that such tragedies could happen again at any time. In some videos, doors have been damaged to the point of requiring repairs, and an increasing number of homeowners are facing repair costs amounting to thousands of dollars. Police have emphasized, "Parents may think it's just a prank, but it could leave a serious criminal record that affects their child's future," urging guardians to actively supervise and monitor SNS content. They also requested that residents immediately report any similar incidents or suspicious behavior they witness.