Viral 'Door Kicking' Challenge Reported In Montgomery Co.

Police in Montgomery County and around Pennsylvania are warning residents of a dangerous TikTok challenge that involves teens dressing up in masks, kicking or beating on the front doors of strangers, and filming it all for social media before running away.

Recent reports of teens engaging in the challenge have been reported locally as recently as this week.

NBC10 reports that both Conshohocken and Lansdale have seen incidents in which security cameras on local homes have caught teens in the act.

In Conshohocken, police said one woman's door was kicked so hard it was seriously damaged, the report states. Police in Lansdale, meanwhile, have already identified several teens involved and spoken with parents.

No charges have been filed yet in Montgomery County, though authorities warn that trespassing and damaging property is illegal.

Solebury police in Bucks County said they've taken reports of the challenge dating back to Nov. 2023. They did not mince words when describing the law enforcement perspective on the issue.

"It’s a dumb and dangerous prank," they said. "You don’t know what ways the homeowner or resident will protect themselves, their home, or their family when they feel threatened by this act. It could cause real harm to all involved. Parents, talk to your children and teens about the dangers and the potential for criminal charges."

It's just the latest social media driven "challenge" that police say has put local teens in danger. Recent trends include the "shooting" challenge, which involved shooting an airsoft gun's gel pellets at strangers, and the "assassin" game, which involves high school seniors using water pistols that have been mistaken for real pistols to chase and shoot other students around towns, including on private property.

"Please talk to your children, monitor their social media activities, and ensure that they don't participate in criminal activity in the name of 'fun,'" Upper Moreland Police shared at the time of the shooting challenge.

Reports of the latest door-kicking challenge are taxing police departments nationwide. In Florida this week, two teens were charged with felony burglary after they did the challenge to a home in Volusia County, CBS12 reported.

Police across the country, including in New Jersey, Texas, Alabama, and beyond, are warning residents to be aware.

Police advise residents to report such activity immediately.

"This behavior will not be tolerated, and this type of activity could potentially lead to criminal charges against the perpetrators," Bernardsville, New Jersey police Captain Dan Buttel said.