TikTok 'Door Kick Challenge' stirs up Lincoln

Between 2025 and 2026, the Lincoln Police Department has received at least 30 calls for service believed to be related to the trending "Door Kick Challenge" or "Door Knock Challenge" seen on the popular social media app TikTok. This trend involves participants, mainly teenagers, kicking and throwing objects at residential doors and homes, often during the early morning or evening hours and running away. Though similar to the old-fashioned "ding-dong ditch" prank, this social media challenge has escalated to expensive property damages and residents wondering if their homes will be targeted next. "Of the 30 service calls received, we have taken nine reports. In many cases, no reports were taken due to the lack of damage or the reporting party declined a report," said Lincoln Police Public Information Officer Zach Eaton. "Three of our incidents have amounted to felony vandalism based on the cost of the damage (above $400)." Authorities have expressed public safety concerns for those who participate as homeowners could easily mistake this challenge for an attempted home invasion or burglary resulting in dangerous and deadly consequences. "We have had cases where the victims have declined to prosecute the suspects and another that is under review by the Placer County District Attorney's Office," said Eaton. "I've got numerous reports to the police about this. I've even talked face to face with the perpetrators; they don't care," said Matthew Coulter on the Lincoln Police Department's Facebook post. Police departments, including those in Roseville, Sacramento and Elk Grove, have issued strong warnings to those who participate in this challenge, highlighting the risks and growing frustrations from victims. "I personally have called Lincoln PD twice, and have 2 incidents on file. My house got hit 4 times with eggs being thrown," said Harold Mandoza on the Lincoln Police Department's Facebook post. "I'm glad that after we figured out who was throwing eggs at our house, the police went to the homes of the teenagers and spoke with their parents." Various reports nationwide showcase the damages and dangers of this trend. Last November in Elk Grove, two 13-year-olds were arrested after allegedly causing more than $680 worth of damage to a homeowner's front door, and last August in Houston, Texas, an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed by a homeowner after he participated in the "Door Kick Challenge," causing the homeowners to believe they were being targeted by home invaders. Frustrated residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the trend, citing Lincoln to never have had issues with pranks and neighborhood disruptions like this before. "Whatever happened to harmless pranks like simple doorbell ditching? Today, social media trends are encouraging destructive behavior like stomping on garage doors, kicking front doors and throwing rocks at people's homes," said Johnathan Turney on the Lincoln Police Department's Facebook post. "This is no longer innocent fun, it's deliberate property damage. It does not change the reality that homeowners are left with dealing with the repair costs, disruption and safety concerns that follow. When actions cross the line into vandalism and intimidation, they should be treated accordingly."