‘Those kids are gonna get hurt’: Neighbors fear viral TikTok ‘Door Kick Challenge’ will have tragic consequences

LEON VALLEY, Texas — It’s a viral TikTok challenge that’s made its way to the San Antonio area.

It’s called the “Door Kick Challenge” — and it’s exactly what it sounds like.

In this new twist on the old “Ding Dong Ditch”, kids are trying to kick in strangers’ front doors then running away.

The challenge is raising concerns among neighbors who believe, if the trend continues, someone will get seriously hurt.

The trend started last year, but it began to ramp up a few months ago in San Antonio.

And it’s not calming down.

Police nationwide are calling the “Door Kick Challenge” dumb and dangerous.

“We want to encourage parents to speak with their teens about the dangers and potential criminal charges associated with participating in this challenge,” said a Goodyear, Arizona police officer in a video posted to social media in April.

“Please help us spread the word that this Tik Tok trend is VERY DANGEROUS,” wrote Florida’s Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on social media. “The potential consequences for anyone taking part could be unexpected and very dire! Don’t do it.”

In San Antonio videos, it appears to be children participating in the challenge.

They’re kicking doors so hard it’s damaging homes.

“I’m just a little concerned that some of those kids are gonna get hurt. There’s a lot of gun owners here,” said Yolanda Taylor, a resident of the Sierra Royale Apartment Homes in Leon Valley who fell victim to the challenge twice.

Credit: Elizabeth V.

Another San Antonio resident’s doorframe split when kids tried to kick in their door.

The most recent occurrence at Taylor’s home happened two weeks ago.

“I was right there in the living room and I literally thought they were coming in the door,” she explained. “Can I get to the kitchen quick enough to grab a knife or do I reach over and grab the gun?”

In Taylor’s surveillance video, it shows two people run up her outside stairwell, kick her door and run away laughing.

“That’s what these kids need to realize. Not everyone sees this as a prank. Some adults are so high wired anyway, ready for something bad to happen that they’re ready to strike,” said Taylor. “Something bad could happen to the person you’re trying to prank. Maybe they’re an older person and they have an illness. They could have a heart attack or a stroke. Then you’ve just obliterated someone else’s life.”

Credit: KENS

A large footprint can be seen on Taylor’s front door

Now, she’s left with a giant footprint on her door, a broken doorframe and feeling less secure in her own home.  

Thursday, she started packing her things. She’s moving out.

Last week, police in Lakeville, Minnesota, shared a helpful list for all families pertaining to this viral trend. They encourage parents to discuss the consequences of participating in the challenge with their children, monitor social media to deter activity and file a police report if this trend reaches your neighborhood.

San Antonio Police said consequences for participating in this challenge depend on each case.

Teenagers who kicked on doors other cities, for example, were charged with criminal mischief for property damage.