This Dangerous TikTok Trend Is Causing a Big Stir in a Small Town
Childhood pranks are a universal experience for kids growing up in America. These small practical jokes let kids have fun sneakily and excitingly. Often, these pranks are harmless, but other times, they can be disruptive or downright dangerous. This is exactly what’s happening with a viral “Door Kicking Challenge” that kids use to prank others. Ultimately, this dangerous TikTok trend has led to the arrest of two Florida teens.
Door Kicking Trend
The “Door Kicking Challenge” is a popular trend on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It has existed in multiple forms in the past couple months. Some videos involve kicking doors to popular songs, while others are more similar to ding-dong ditching.
Initially, it seems the trend involved kicking on the doors of people you know. The trend has taken a more risky turn in recent iterations, with kids starting to kick strangers’ doors. Stories of kids kicking doors in response to the trend have been occurring as early as 2021. At that time, college kids were doing it around their dorms.
Dangerous Tiktok Trends Lands Two Florida Teens in Jail
Recently, police arrested two Florida teens for participating in the challenge. They are not alone, as the San Hernando County Sheriff’s Office has investigated four similar reports in the past two weeks. In some cases, pranksters kick doors so hard that they break off their hinges.
In this case, the two teens confessed to taking part in the challenge. They asserted that entering the homes was never their intention, yet authorities charged them with burglary of a dwelling due to their violent damages. They remained in the San Hernando County Detention Center before their parents gained custody.
Sherrif Al Nienhuis responded about the event, saying, “This situation was exceptionally dangerous on several levels.” He further added, “First, there was a very good possibility that these young men could have been shot and killed by a homeowner lawfully defending the household. Second, if this occurred, the homeowner would have been burdened with the fact he or she killed two teenagers who were participating in a stupid activity.”
Safety Issues With the Dangerous TikTok Trend
A few very serious safety implications are associated with this dangerous TikTok trend. Firstly, strangers can have a wide variety of reactions to pranks and door-kicking. For instance, some may have firearms or weapons that they could use to protect their homes. The trend usually occurs at night and can create a deadly combo.
Likewise, there can also be dangers of knocking on the doors of medically fragile people. Someone afraid of a possible intruder or burglar may experience medical events such as a heart attack.
These trends, which involve interacting with strangers’ private property at night, have serious implications for the pranksters and the individuals being pranked.
Legal Implications
In addition to safety concerns, the trend can have a slew of legal implications. Those who participate in the challenge face charges of trespassing or attempted entry of a residence, which can amount to a class 6 felony.
Homeowners may also sue for emotional or physical damages separately from the criminal charges.
Conclusion
While the internet can be a place of communication and connection, it can also be a breeding ground for dangerous ideas and trends. One troubling TikTok trend is the “Door-Kicking Challenge.” Many kids are taking to the streets and kicking on strangers’ doors in the middle of the night in response to the challenge.
In some conspicuous cases, authorities have arrested and charged kids with felonies. Kids taking on the challenge also risk run-ins with strangers and other serious legal implications.
Moving forward, it is helpful to understand the source of this behavior if you see it in your area. The best we can do now is to track how the trend develops and changes over time in the ever-evolving environment of internet trends.