Youths caught on camera kicking in door for social media challenge
Ontario Provincial Police are sounding the alarm over an online challenge that encourages participants to kick in the doors of homes.
It follows one such incident over the weekend in Port Dover, Ont. that was caught on home security camera and left the residents in one home shaken.
Video posted by the OPP appears to show three youths filming themselves kicking in the door of a residence for a social media challenge.
The incident happened early Saturday morning.
“Not only is it becoming a nuisance, however, now you’re coming to a point where now you’re committing criminal offences,” said Sgt. Ed Sanchuk of West Region OPP. “When you trespass on someone’s property at 1:30 in the morning, kicking in a door, actually kicking that door in, there are some significant charges there. So we need our youth to understand the fact that they need to be held to account for their actions.”
Sanchuk added that an identifiable vehicle can be seen in the window reflection of the home that was damaged, adding, “It appears that an F-150 shows up to pick up the youths.”
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the youth in the video to contact them.
A study published last week by the social media platform TikTok asked teens why they take part in online challenges. The top reason was to get comments, views and likes. That was followed by impressing others.
Anabel Quan-Hasse is a professor of Technology and Society at Western University. She said taking part in online challenges is about gaining what’s known as digital capital.
“When you’re the centre of attention, when you’ve done something that everybody else kind of thinks is pretty cool. Of course that depends a lot I think on the value system they’re imposing to this,” she said.
“The cool factor here is often the peer evaluation, and the kind of digital audience that can be pretty large. The digital capital that they’re gaining can be in the thousands of likes.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.