In recent news from Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, there have been unsettling incidents involving local youths engaging in a perilous trend. Across several areas, police are delving into reports of juveniles attempting to kick, and in some cases successfully kicking down, the doors of local homes. This reckless behavior is believed to be fueled by a so-called TikTok “challenge” that has gained traction online.

Chief Thomas Bell of the Lower Swatara Township Police Department has expressed growing concern over these occurrences. “This activity has been reported throughout our area, and we are determined to halt it before it escalates further,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity for swift action.

In a recent incident on the morning of November 16, officers from Swatara Township were dispatched following reports of teenagers engaging in this disruptive challenge. Video footage captured during their response confirmed that the juveniles attempted to break down a homeowner’s door before fleeing the scene.

Conversations with residents of the neighborhood revealed that several community members had experienced similar disturbances. This highlights the widespread nature of the issue, prompting a more rigorous response from law enforcement to deter such behavior.

“It absolutely is a crime,” Bell said. “So, we’ve also consulted the district attorney’s office. Basically, these individuals could be charged with felony burglary, with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, obviously, for damaging of the doors. But this holds serious consequences for these individuals.”

Bell further noted that there had been two instances this year, in Texas and Virginia, where juveniles attempting similar pranks have been shot and killed by residents.

These incidents aren’t isolated to just a few states, either. Reports of teens participating in “door kick” challenges have been reported in regions across the U.S., and date back several years. But the incidents appear to be resurging in 2025, prompting warnings from officials in Florida, Kansas, Indiana and beyond.

In the past month alone, the Elk Grove Police Department in California said it had recorded at least eight incidents of kids kicking in the front doors of strangers’ homes, causing damage, Nexstar’s KTXL reported.

Some of those offenders were arrested, Elk Grove police said.

“Earlier this month, three youngsters were arrested, and last Friday, two 13-year-olds were taken into custody for causing more $680 in damage,” EGPD said this week. “We want to use this as an opportunity to remind our community that while trends like this may seem like harmless fun, they can have serious consequences.”

Nexstar’s Michael Bartiromo and KTXL’s Veronica Catlin contributed to this report.