加州近來出現一股令人憂心的「踢門挑戰」（Door-Kicking Challenge）風潮，短短一個月內便引發多起社區恐慌與警方介入行動。這種挑戰原本是一種在社群媒體上流傳的惡作劇，參與者多為青少年。他們在深夜或住家安靜時段靠近陌生人的門口，用力猛踢並快速逃離，再將整個過程拍攝下來，上傳到網路上換取點擊與關注。然而，這種看似無害的惡作劇正在演變成危險行為，甚至可能引發致命後果。

加州警方透露，他們在過去30天內已經收到至少8起與「踢門挑戰」相關的報案，受害者絕大多數都被突如其來的巨響嚇醒，以為遭遇入室搶劫或暴力侵害。有些居民甚至在驚慌之中拿起武器，準備保護自己與家人，情況一度相當緊張。警方非常擔心，這種惡作劇若在錯誤時間、錯誤地點發生，極可能造成青少年被誤認為入侵者，導致悲劇發生。

隨著案件頻率增加，警方終於逮捕五名涉嫌參與挑戰的青少年。根據警方說法，這些少年大多是在深夜成群結隊行動，他們以為只是玩樂，並未理解行為背後的風險。警方表示，雖然當中許多人並無犯罪前科，但這類行為已經構成破壞、擾亂治安甚至非法闖入的嫌疑，將依法調查處理。更重要的是，警方正試圖透過這些案例向社區傳達警訊：這不是單純的惡作劇，而是足以讓人誤以為遭遇暴徒入侵的危險行為。

受害居民在接受訪問時提到，每一次巨響都彷彿房門被暴力攻破，讓家中老人與小孩在驚恐中徹夜難眠。有些家庭事後不得不加裝攝影機、感應燈與額外鎖具，以防類似事件再度發生。居民普遍呼籲警方加強巡邏，也希望學校與家長能重視青少年網路文化中日益偏向刺激與挑釁的潮流。

警方則警告，這種挑戰若持續擴大，未來很有可能演變成正當防衛悲劇。美國許多州的居民擁有合法槍械，一旦有人在半夜猛踢大門，屋內住戶完全可能開槍自衛，後果將不堪設想。他們呼籲青少年「不要為了網路點擊置自己於危險之中」，也提醒家長更關注孩子的網路行為，避免誤入這類模仿風潮。目前，案件仍在持續調查中，而警方與社區皆希望這波危險的「踢門挑戰」能儘速降溫，以免再度造成社會恐慌或意外發生。

California has recently been shaken by a troubling trend known as the “door-kicking challenge,” a social-media-driven stunt that has rapidly escalated into a public-safety concern. What began as a prank among teenagers—running up to a stranger’s front door, kicking it forcefully, filming the act, and then posting it online for attention—has, within just one month, turned into a series of dangerous incidents across multiple neighborhoods.

Police revealed that in the past 30 days alone, they have received at least eight reports related to this challenge. Many residents were jolted awake in the middle of the night by violent bangs on their front doors, believing they were facing a home invasion or an attempted robbery. Some panicked homeowners grabbed weapons to protect themselves and their families, creating situations that could easily have escalated into violence. According to officers, the greatest fear is that a teenager could be mistaken for an intruder and seriously injured—or even killed—by a frightened resident acting in self-defense.

As the number of incidents increased, police finally arrested five teenagers believed to be involved in the door-kicking challenge. Officers noted that most of the participants were acting in groups and seemed unaware of how dangerous their behavior truly was. Although many of the teens had no prior criminal record, their actions potentially fall under vandalism, disturbing the peace, and even unlawful entry. Police emphasized that while some may dismiss the acts as pranks, the risk they pose to both the teens and the residents is very real.

Victims who spoke to the media described the shock as overwhelming. Several said the sound felt like someone was trying to break through the door, leaving elderly family members and young children terrified and unable to sleep. Many households have since installed surveillance cameras, motion-activated lights, and reinforced locks, hoping to prevent future incidents. Residents urged authorities to increase patrols and called on parents and schools to pay closer attention to online trends that encourage reckless or confrontational behavior.

Law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned that this challenge could lead to tragedy if it continues. In many parts of the United States, homeowners legally own firearms, and a sudden violent kick at the front door in the middle of the night could easily provoke a defensive shooting. “No amount of online attention is worth putting your life in danger,” police said, urging young people to abandon the trend and reminding parents to stay aware of what their children are doing online.

The investigation is still ongoing, but both police and local communities hope the dangerous “door-kicking challenge” fades quickly before it results in irreversible harm.