Watchly Safety Review

8-Year-Olds vs Modified Bowling Ball

Mark Rober

0:48 · 251.6M views · April 12, 2023

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Some ConcernsReviewed June 2026

1Moderate Concern

1Minor Flag

This is a fun STEM-focused video where an adult creator builds a modified bowling ball with a hidden servo motor to beat kids at bowling, framing it as a humorous revenge story. The content is lighthearted and showcases engineering concepts, though it models mild deceptive behavior for comedic effect.

Content Breakdown · 2 Categories

Toxic Behavior ModelingSome

The video depicts cheating at bowling using a modified ball with hidden electronics, then deceiving children by concealing the controller. This models deceptive behavior and cheating as clever/admirable. The creator frames this deception positively ('regain my street cred,' 'coolest kid at the party') without acknowledging the ethical issues of cheating against children.

See evidence (3)

“I modified this bowling ball to get me a strike every time”throughout

“to make sure these kids didn't suspect anything, I taped the controller to my back”

“thanks to mechanical engineering, I'm once again the coolest kid at the party”

Low-Quality, Extreme & Stunt ContentA little

While not extreme, the content has elements of stunt/gimmick content designed for viral appeal (modifying a bowling ball for guaranteed strikes). However, it's relatively mild and demonstrates actual engineering skills rather than pure shock value.

See evidence (1)

“I modified this bowling ball to get me a strike every time”beginning

What Parents Need to Know

This video shows an adult using engineering to secretly cheat at bowling against children, presented as a joke. While the STEM content is educational and the tone is playful, it does model dishonesty and deception as acceptable solutions to feeling embarrassed. The creator doesn't acknowledge the ethical issues with cheating or deceiving others. There's no inappropriate language, violence, or unsafe content, but the underlying message about handling competition and social situations may warrant discussion.

Talk to Your Kids About

1What do you think about using technology to cheat in a game? Is it fair to the other players?
2How would you feel if someone used a hidden device to beat you at something you were good at?
3What are better ways to handle feeling embarrassed or losing at something?
4What engineering concepts did you notice in the video, and how could they be used in honest ways?

What's This Video About?

You don't have to be good at bowling, to be good at bowling. #shorts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this video appropriate for elementary school kids?

Yes, the video contains no inappropriate language, violence, or mature themes. However, it does show an adult cheating against children as a joke, which parents may want to discuss. The engineering content is educational and engaging for this age group.

Does this video teach kids it's okay to cheat?

The video presents cheating in a lighthearted, comedic way without addressing the ethical problems. While clearly meant as entertainment, younger viewers may not understand the satire. Parents should discuss honesty, fair play, and how this wouldn't be acceptable in real competitive situations.

What educational value does this video have?

The video demonstrates real engineering concepts including servo motors, counterweights, and remote control systems. It shows the design process from problem to solution and could inspire interest in STEM fields, though the application itself is ethically questionable.

Is the creator actually competing against real children?

The video shows the creator at a bowling alley with children, though it's unclear if they're aware of the modified ball. The scenario appears staged for entertainment purposes, but the ethical implications of deceiving others for content remain a valid discussion point.

Could kids try to recreate this project?

This project requires advanced tools, electronics knowledge, and modification of sports equipment that could damage bowling alley property. It's not a safe or appropriate DIY project for children, and using modified equipment at public venues would likely violate facility rules.

What age is best for understanding the humor in this video?

Children 8 and older can appreciate the engineering aspects and humor, but may need guidance understanding why cheating is wrong even in a joke context. Younger children might take the behavior at face value without recognizing the satirical intent.

Not affiliated with YouTube or Google. All creator content remains property of original creators.

8-Year-Olds vs Modified Bowling Ball

Content Breakdown · 2 Categories

What Parents Need to Know

Talk to Your Kids About

What's This Video About?

Frequently Asked Questions

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