TikTok door-kicking trend reported in Wichita, experts warn of legal consequences

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A TikTok trend involving kids kicking the doors of homes and running away has been reported in Wichita, according to a post on the neighborhood app Nextdoor warning other users about the activity.

The post said, “there’s 4 boys going around kicking on people doors there were running down 5 and grove”.

While kids can be suseptible to online trends and challenges, experts say this trend carries potential legal consequences.

Hillary Zwetzig, director of education and outreach for Mental Health America of South Central Kansas, said adolescent brain development plays a role in why children follow trends like this one.

“Kids have a tendency, if other kids are doing it, they’re gonna jump right on board and wanna do it too,” Zwetzig said. “Their brains are not fully developed, so the part of the brain that controls impulses is not fully developed.”

The trend may appear similar to ding-dong ditching, but law enforcement says the consequences can be more serious.

Alex Avendano, of the Wichita Police Department’s Juvenile Intervention Unit, said property damage is one concern — and that the danger can escalate depending on who is involved.

“You could cause damage to a door, a lot of other things could happen, you might be with a friend that decides to do more than just kick in the door,” Avendano said.

Avendano also said homeowners may perceive the act as a threat.

“Somebody may be thinking that someone’s coming inside their home to cause harm or damage to them, and they may respond to that in the way that they might feel appropriate to respond to some type of danger at their door,” he said.

So, how do you keep your kids from taking part?

“I just go back to, as parents, teach your kids to make decisions their future selves will be proud of,” Zwetzig said.

The police also tell parents not to be afraid of a hands-on, direct approach.

“As parents we just have to be nosey with what our kids are up to, whether that’s through social media or in the neighborhood or the places that they tend to visit,” Avendano said.