A viral social media challenge that sends people running up to strangers' homes and kicking their front doors is making the rounds again, prompting California police to warn the stunt can lead to more than property damage.
The Irvine Police Department released surveillance videos on social media showing people taking part in the "Door Kick Challenge," which involves kicking someone's front door as hard as possible, recording it and running away before anyone answers.
"This isn't a prank. It's vandalism, and it can end badly," the department said.
The videos show groups approaching homes before running away. In one clip, a group of boys gathers outside a front door as one repeatedly knocks. As they run away, one of the boys turns and kicks the door.
The department warned that the challenge could leave behind damaged property and frightened homeowners while creating the risk of a dangerous confrontation.
"A damaged door, a scared homeowner, a dangerous confrontation, criminal charges or someone getting seriously hurt can all be part of the outcome," the department said.
Irvine police have received more than 20 calls related to the Door Kick Challenge since October, including reports from residents whose homes were targeted and witnesses who saw it happen, Officer Ziggy Azarcon told Fox News Digital.
Seven incidents have resulted in vandalism reports, and the department's Youth Services Unit is investigating them.
"We have seen an increase in this last month, even though this has been an ongoing trend for the last couple of years," Azarcon said.
Police are urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of taking part.
"These residents don't know who's on the other side kicking their door," Azarcon said. "It may scare them and cause them to take action, and the last thing we want is to see someone get hurt."
The warning comes less than a week after a similar door-knocking prank ended in gunfire in Boise, Idaho.
A group of boys had been playing "ding-dong ditch" at a home Nov. 7 when they returned to the property and the resident chased them and opened fire, Boise police said. A 15-year-old boy was struck and suffered injuries initially considered serious or critical, though they were not believed to be life-threatening.
Police arrested 45-year-old Darin Young on a felony aggravated battery charge.
A similar prank turned deadly in Houston last year.
Eleven-year-old Julian Guzman and his cousin had repeatedly knocked on a man's door and ran away while playing "ding-dong ditch" after a family birthday, a prank at a stranger's home can escalate.
Irvine police urged parents to talk with their children about the risks and consequences of participating in the challenge.
"What might get a few laughs or likes online can have very real consequences offline," the department said.