HOUSTON – There are a lot of fun trends that start on TikTok—but sometimes, they can become dangerous.
In the “door-kicking challenge,” people are kicking doors as a prank while recording for social media.
In the past, local authorities have urged parents to talk to their children and for residents to be vigilant after receiving reports of individuals taking part in the dangerous TikTok challenge. This challenge could lead to homeowners believing a burglary is being attempted, potentially resulting in confrontations or other defensive actions that could put lives at risk.
“So you kick down my door and I shoot you ... I’m so sorry that you did it for a trend for TikTok, but your life is more important,” said homeowner Aneca Franklin. “Your parents will be hurt because of this. Your family will be hurt because of this. I don’t care. Likes, followers, subscribers—whatever it is, it is not worth you kicking down my door and catching a bullet. It’s not worth it.”
The door-kicking challenge has now returned, this time in the Katy area. On Tuesday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office received two reports of teens kicking doors and running away from residences in the Morton Creek Ranch subdivision.
The first incident was around 7:55 p.m. in the 23000 block of Quarry Path Way, where a 63-year-old woman said she heard several bangs on her door. When she walked outside, she did not see anyone.
As the deputy was speaking with the woman, another woman reported that the same teens had kicked her door in the 3100 block of View Valley Trail around 8:05 p.m.
The second woman said her door and door frame had sustained damage.
The Sheriff’s Office says these types of social media-inspired pranks are very dangerous and illegal. While young teens may think it’s a harmless prank, criminal mischief is a crime.
“I mean, if somebody does that, I’m not going to ask you, ‘Who is you that?’ You’re trying to break in—I’m going to shoot, man. I’m, I’m sorry,” homeowner Jesse Torres said.
Homeowners are allowed to protect their property and people with deadly force. They may interpret the prank as a real threat to themselves or their family.
“No one knows who’s on the other side of the door,” Franklin said. “We have the right to protect ourselves and to protect our property.”
No other reports have been made in that area.
