In short

The Scientology speedrun is a TikTok trend where mostly teenage boys and young men film themselves rushing into Church of Scientology buildings to see how far they can get before staff stop them. 

It started in Los Angeles in March 2026 and has spread to the UK and Australia, with police facing large crowds outside churches in Sydney, Brisbane, and several UK cities.

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What is the Scientology speedrun trend?

The Scientology speedrun is a viral TikTok challenge where young people film themselves charging into Church of Scientology buildings and seeing how far inside they can get before being stopped.

The unofficial goal is to reach the deepest point of the building. 

Most speedrunners wear face coverings: cat masks, dinosaur costumes, even Jesus and Minion outfits, to hide their identity on camera. 

The first big clip, posted by creator Swhileyy in March 2026, racked up 90 million views before it was deleted, and the format exploded from there.

What started as a handful of videos in Los Angeles has now hit the UK and Australia, with hundreds of teens turning up at Scientology buildings in groups.

Where did the Scientology speedrun trend come from?

The trend started in Hollywood in March 2026 and went global within weeks, fuelled by TikTok's algorithm and the internet's appetite for absurd, high-stakes pranks.

In the UK, hundreds of teenagers attempted to rush Scientology buildings across multiple cities in early May 2026. 

In Australia, police were called to large crowds outside churches in Sydney and Brisbane, with several arrests of teens as young as 15. 

So far, no speedrunner has actually made it to the "end" of a building.

It's worth knowing that TikTok is by far the most-used social app among teen girls. 

In a luna poll of 2,499 teens, nearly 1 in 2 (47%) said TikTok is their favourite app. 

So even if your daughter isn't taking part, she's almost certainly seen these videos in her feed.

Why are teens taking part in the Scientology speedrun?

For most teens, it's not really about Scientology at all. 

It's the thrill, the views, and the chance to be part of a moment that's everywhere online.

A few reasons it's caught on:

• Views and clout: viral pranks reliably rack up millions of views, and TikTok's algorithm rewards the absurd
• Group energy: doing it with friends, in costume, with masked anonymity, lowers the perceived risk
• Curiosity about Scientology: the church has long been linked to documentaries, ex-member exposés, and celebrity rumours, so many teens are curious about what's inside
• Defying authority: storming a private building in fancy dress has an obvious appeal to a 15-year-old

It's also worth knowing that critics of Scientology, including former members like actor Leah Remini, have called the trend "unhelpful." 

They argue it trivialises serious concerns about the organisation rather than exposing them.

Is the Scientology speedrun dangerous for my daughter?

Yes, it carries real, practical risks: arrest, injury, and a digital footprint that can follow your daughter for years.

The most concrete risks to know about:

• Police action: teens have been arrested in Australia for failing to comply with police, trespass, and public order offences – a criminal record can affect university applications and future jobs
• Physical injury: at one large Sydney incident, the church said staff were "knocked down in the chaos" and crowds rushing a doorway are genuinely unsafe
• A permanent digital trail: even with masks, identifiable clothing, location data, and friends' tagged videos can connect your daughter to the event years later
• Targeting by the church: Scientology is known for documenting and pursuing critics, and the church has said it is "reviewing all available remedies"

The trend is overwhelmingly made up of teenage boys and young men, but girls are getting involved too. 

Two teenage girls have been arrested in Sydney at one of these events.

What should I do if my daughter wants to take part?

Acknowledge the appeal first, then talk through the real-world consequences calmly and specifically. 

Lecturing rarely lands with teens, but concrete facts often do.

A few things that tend to work:

• Ask her what she's seen and what she thinks of it, to open the conversation rather than shut it down
• Walk through the practical risks together: arrest record, university applications, injury in a crowd
• Talk about digital footprint and online privacy: faces caught on background CCTV, friends' phones, geo-tagged posts
• Remind her that the "winners" of these trends are almost always the platform, not the participant

You don't have to wean your teen off TikTok or come down hard. Helping your daughter think the risk through herself is more likely to stick.

How do I talk to my daughter about risky TikTok trends?

Lead with curiosity, not judgement. Teens are far more likely to open up if they don't feel they're about to be told off.

It helps to:

• Watch a few of the videos with her, so you're talking about the same thing
• Ask what her friends think, because peer view often matters more than yours
• Be specific about what you're worried about, rather than vague. "I'm worried about a criminal record" lands better than "this is stupid"
• Keep the door open by telling her she can always call you to come and get her, no questions asked

A luna poll of 1,873 teens found that 1 in 4 (24%) said nothing would make them open up to a parent. 

So the bar isn't winning every single conversation, it's keeping the relationship strong over time.

FAQ

Is the Scientology speedrun illegal?

Yes, in most cases. 

Entering a private building without permission is trespass, and police have arrested teens for public order offences and failing to comply with police directions.

Are teen girls doing the Scientology speedrun too?

Mostly it's teenage boys and young men, but girls are involved. 

Can my daughter get a criminal record from this?

Yes, depending on what she does and where it happens. 

Trespass, public order offences and obstructing police can all result in a charge, especially for older teens.

Should I ban TikTok over this?

A blanket ban often pushes the issue underground. 

Open conversations and clear, specific boundaries tend to work better, though the right answer depends on your daughter and your family.

How big is Scientology in the UK?

Scientology has a visible presence in the UK with buildings in London, East Grinstead, and other cities. 

Membership numbers are unclear, but the church's UK base draws ongoing protest and scrutiny.

Where to go from here

If you're worried about your daughter's social media use more broadly, luna has some practical guides. 

You may wish to check out luna’s article on phone addiction in teens, or learn about how phones affect sleep.

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