October 22, 2026 / 8:12 PM EDT / CBS News

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Parents in a growing number of communities are being held responsible by authorities when their children are involved in serious accidents involving electric motorcycles.

Videos of the practice often emerge on social media showing groups of children illegally riding e-motos, often performing dangerous stunts on busy roads.

In California, it is illegal for children under 16 to ride e-motos, which have a higher-powered motor than electric bikes.

In Southern California, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has attempted to crack down on the growing problem, bringing charges this year against 12 parents who are accused of letting their children illegally ride e-motos.

"I need to send a message in order to save other kids' lives and to make sure other parents are taking responsibility for their children," Spitzer told CBS News.

Among those charged were the mother and father of 13-year-old Benson Nguyen, who had posted videos of…