SOUTHERN INDIANA – Police departments across Southern Indiana are issuing urgent warnings to parents and students about a hazardous social media trend known as the “Door Kick Challenge” that has put local homes—and the participating juveniles—at extreme risk.
The challenge, which circulates on platforms like TikTok, involves teens approaching random residential doors and attempting to kick them in while often carrying airsoft guns (replica firearms that shoot small plastic BBs). It is happening at multiple residences not only in Indiana but across the nation.
The escalating nature of the prank carries severe consequences:
- If the door is forced open, participants may enter the home, fire the airsoft gun rapidly, and then flee.
- If the door holds, police warn the teens may wait and shoot at the homeowner with the airsoft weapon when the door is opened.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they responded to a similar incident on Saturday, October 4th, and were able to track down and identify those involved—a process aided by the fact that the juveniles were reportedly recording themselves for the challenge.
Police are alerting residents and urging parents to intervene immediately due to the profound danger the challenge poses to young people involved, emphasizing that this “prank” can easily be mistaken for a home invasion or attempted burglary.
“This activity is extremely dangerous,” the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office stated in a public warning. “Parents should talk to their children about the risks.”
Across the country, this trend has led to close calls and criminal charges because homeowners have an inherent right to defend their property and families.
“Once you try to break into a piece of property, or you’re trespassing onto a property or you’re trying to kick in a door of a residence where there’s people inside, that elevates it to a whole new standard of severity, whether it’s criminally charged,” said Chief Deputy Cody Low of the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office.
According to police, teens participating in the trend are not simply engaging in a harmless “ding-dong ditch”. Still, they are actively risking felony charges for attempted burglary and vandalism, which can follow them for a lifetime. Furthermore, they face the potential for serious injury or death if a frightened homeowner mistakes the airsoft gun for a real firearm and responds with lethal force.
Authorities stress the vital role of parents in monitoring their children’s activities and social media consumption. Parents are urged to speak with their children now about the real-world consequences of participating in viral online challenges that involve illegal or violent acts.
For homeowners, police recommend taking precautions such as installing doorbell cameras and reinforcing entryways to help deter and document such dangerous behavior.
