What is the TikTok Car Challenge?
The “TikTok Car Challenge” refers to a dangerous social media trend on TikTok where individuals run in front of moving vehicles and post the videos online. It involves mostly teenagers filming themselves jumping in front of cars on roads or in parking lots and then post the videos to TikTok.
The challenge gained popularity in late 2021 and into 2022, as videos with the hashtag #TikTokCarChallenge began circulating on the platform (Source). In most cases, the goal seems to be trying to force the driver to slam on the brakes at the last minute while the prankster runs across the front of the vehicle.
Some variations show individuals leaping onto the hoods of moving cars for a stunt. However, the core element in all cases involves placing oneself in the path of oncoming traffic seemingly for the purposes of gaining views and likes on social media.
Origins and History
The origins of the TikTok car challenge can be traced back to early 2021, when videos emerged on TikTok showing how to steal certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles using just a USB cable. According to an article on Vox [1], the challenge gained significant traction in Milwaukee during the summer of 2021. By late 2021 and into early 2022, similar car theft videos and reports of stolen Kias and Hyundais started appearing in other cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.
An article on Wikipedia [2] states that the challenge then went viral in 2022 across TikTok and other social media platforms, with some users participating out of boredom and others looking to gain followers and views. This resulted in a spike in Kia and Hyundai thefts in cities across the United States. By mid-2022, the challenge had gained mainstream attention and police warnings were issued in an effort to deter participation. However, thefts attributed to the challenge continued through the end of 2022 and into 2023.
Notable Incidents
Some of the most severe injuries and deaths related to this social media trend have occurred in recent months as it continues to gain popularity among teenagers.
In October 2022, a 14-year-old mother was killed in a car crash in Buffalo, New York while participating in the TikTok challenge with three other teenagers. The teens had stolen a Kia vehicle and were speeding when they crashed into a street barrier.
Another deadly incident took place in March 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina where a teenager was killed after stealing a car. Police indicated the TikTok challenge was a factor in the theft and subsequent fatal crash.
In May 2023 in Lodi, California, two teenage boys ages 16 and 21 died after their Hyundai crashed early in the morning. Police suspect the crash may be tied to the TikTok challenge which involves stealing certain makes of cars.
Dangers and Risks
This challenge is incredibly dangerous and poses serious safety risks to anyone attempting it. Some of the key dangers include:
Risk of injury or death. Trying to enter and operate a moving vehicle can easily lead to severe injuries or even death if the person falls and is run over or collides with oncoming traffic (1). There have been multiple reports of teens suffering critical injuries while attempting this challenge.
Causing car accidents. Not only are the teens participating at risk, but their reckless behavior can cause accidents that harm or kill innocent bystanders. Entering a moving car necessarily distracts the driver and can cause them to swerve or lose control (2).
Theft of property. While some teens may think it’s harmless fun, unlawfully entering someone else’s vehicle constitutes theft. Those who enable the theft by leaving cars unlocked could also face legal consequences (3).
Overall, authorities widely condemn this challenge as needlessly endangering participants and the public. The thrill of social media attention is absolutely not worth the potential trauma and destruction. Parents are urged to closely monitor their teens’ social media activity to help prevent participation.
Psychology Behind the Trend
The psychology behind dangerous viral challenges like the TikTok car challenge reveals some key factors that drive their popularity. According to experts, the urge for social approval and belonging is a major motivator. Participating makes people feel part of an in-group experience. The novelty and simplicity also contribute to making the challenges go viral. Misestimation of norms occurs when people assume risky behaviors are more common than they are. FOMO (fear of missing out) then intensifies the drive to participate. The validation of thumbs-up, likes, comments and shares reinforces the behavior. Poor judgement-making, especially among youths, leads some to take unwise risks without fully considering dangers. Overall, the mix of social motivations, novelty, youthful mindsets and digital validation combine to propagate risky viral challenges despite their dangers.
Social Media Companies’ Responses
Social media platforms like TikTok have taken steps to try to curb the viral “Kia Challenge” trend, which involves teaching people how to steal certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. When videos showing how to hotwire and steal these cars started spreading rapidly on TikTok in 2021, the companies responded by updating their policies and moderation tactics.
In August 2022, a TikTok spokesperson told Automotive News that “We do not allow content that promotes or enables criminal activities on our platform, including theft. We remove videos that violate this policy and redirect related search results.” TikTok said it was working to remove content promoting the challenge and redirecting related search terms.
TikTok has also adjusted its search algorithm and recommendation system to avoid surfacing dangerous challenges like this one. The company claims that searches related to stealing cars or hotwiring now direct users to videos debunking those activities. While some videos still slip through the cracks, TikTok has generally taken a tough stance to try to limit promotion and growth of the concerning “Kia Challenge” trend.
Law Enforcement Perspectives
Law enforcement officials have expressed great concern about the TikTok car challenge trend. Many police departments across the country have needed to issue warnings and increase patrols in areas where the stunts are happening. The careless behavior puts officers in a difficult position, forcing them to intervene before a tragedy occurs.
Police say responding to reports of kids running in front of moving cars takes time away from other public safety needs. It’s an unnecessary drain on resources and prevents police from responding quickly to true emergencies. Officers worry about potential harm to innocent bystanders as well.
Law enforcement leaders have urged communities to be alert and report any incidents immediately. They have also asked parents to monitor their children’s social media activity more closely. Police want to stop the trend before more lives are endangered. But they cannot arrest their way out of what has become a viral internet craze. Meaningful change will require education and community involvement.
Expert Opinions
The TikTok car challenge has prompted discussion and analysis from various experts who study psychology, social media trends, and criminal behavior.
Dr. Amanda Coleman, a psychologist at UCLA who specializes in adolescent behavior, told Wired that the thrill and social recognition teens get from posting viral content can outweigh considerations of safety and consequences. She said the developing teenage brain is wired to seek rewards, which social media interactions provide. Coleman emphasized the importance of parental monitoring of social media use.
Social media analyst Sarah Ellis stated in an interview that TikTok and other platforms need to be more proactive about detecting and removing dangerous viral challenges before they spread widely. She also said the companies should make it easier for parents to block problematic hashtags and videos.
Criminologist James Wilson said the TikTok challenge appears to have escalated youth delinquency that was already rising after pandemic lockdowns. He theorized that boredom and desire for attention motivated the car thefts more than economic need. Wilson advocated for youth outreach programs and constructive activities to provide teenagers with supervision and purpose.
Parental Concerns
Parents are understandably worried about the TikTok car challenge trend and how to protect their kids from participating. As the Cyber Safety Guy reports, this challenge involves stealing certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles using just a USB cable and screwdriver. Videos demonstrating how to hotwire these cars have gone viral on TikTok, sparking a wave of thefts.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the TikTok car challenge is one of several dangerous viral trends that parents need to be aware of. Not only can stealing a car lead to criminal charges, but these viral challenges encourage risky behavior that could result in injury or death. Parents are concerned about monitoring their kids’ social media activity and discussing the real dangers posed by these online trends.
Experts advise that parents have open and honest conversations with their children about what they see online. Setting social media guidelines and monitoring your child’s accounts can help protect them from harmful challenges. Parents can also reach out to other adults, schools, and experts for advice if they discover their child participating in dangerous viral trends.
Looking Ahead
The dangerous “TikTok car challenge” trend raises serious concerns about its potential to continue and even grow if not addressed properly. While some of these viral challenges tend to be short-lived, this one involves theft and risks lives, so its severity warrants extra vigilance.
According to law enforcement experts, the thrill-seeking nature of this challenge may appeal to bored teens looking for entertainment and peer approval online. With TikTok’s powerful reach, new participants could keep joining in if the platform doesn’t take sufficient action to curb it.
However, increased awareness of the trend’s dangers from schools, parents, authorities, and car manufacturers could help dissuade participation. Emphasizing the serious legal consequences, injuries, and even death that can result may make potential participants think twice.
TikTok and other social platforms banning related hashtags and videos helps interrupt the trend’s momentum. But determined users find ways around bans, so broader educational and deterrence efforts remain necessary. Ultimately, authorities predict the TikTok car challenge will fade if met with a strong unified response conveying its unacceptable risks.
