Watchly Safety Review

Backup Camera Scare Prank w/ Jimmy Kimmel

Mark Rober

0:20 · 7.3M views · August 15, 2024

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Some ConcernsReviewed June 2026

1Moderate Concern

4Minor Flags

This short prank clip is mostly harmless fun, but it models the idea of startling or tricking a friend without their consent, which younger kids may imitate. The setup is simple and the scare factor is mild — horror action figures taped to a backup camera — but the core message is that pranking others is entertaining, which is worth a quick conversation with kids. There's no language, violence, or inappropriate content beyond the prank premise itself.

Content Breakdown · 5 Categories

Bullying, Cruelty & DiscriminationA little

The prank targets a 'buddy,' implying a consensual or friendly context, and there is no identity-based attack or dehumanizing language; the mild score reflects that pranking someone without full consent can border on low-level cruelty, but the framing here is lighthearted.

See evidence (1)

“duct tape it to the back of your buddy's car... So when he puts it in reverse, this is what you get”

Toxic Behavior ModelingSome

The video instructs viewers to duct-tape objects to another person's car without their knowledge or consent, which models a prank that could startle a driver and potentially cause a minor accident or vehicle damage. While framed as harmless fun, it normalizes tampering with someone else's property.

See evidence (2)

“you're gonna like duct tape it to the back of your buddy's car right in front of the backup camera”

“So when he puts it in reverse, this is what you get”

Dangerous Internet ChallengesA little

The prank involves secretly attaching an object to another person's car near the backup camera, which could momentarily distract or startle a driver during reversing; while not a recognized viral dangerous challenge, it carries a mild imitable risk if replicated by viewers, particularly if the driver reacts sharply.

See evidence (2)

“duct tape it to the back of your buddy's car right in front of the backup camera like this”

“So when he puts it in reverse, this is what you get”

Low-Quality, Extreme & Stunt ContentA little

The video is a short prank stunt segment tied to a late-night TV show; while it has a stunt/gimmick quality, it does not reach the threshold of extreme eating, endurance challenges, or destruction-for-views content.

See evidence (1)

“So when he puts it in reverse, this is what you get”

Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

The prank uses horror-themed action figures (Freddie Krueger, Jason Voorhees) to scare someone — these are fantasy/horror characters used in a clearly playful, non-harmful context, constituting very mild fantasy-violence theming.

See evidence (1)

“probably something scary like Freddie or Jason here”

What Parents Need to Know

This brief clip from Jimmy Kimmel's show demonstrates a simple prank where horror-themed action figures (like Freddie Krueger or Jason) are taped in front of a car's backup camera to startle the driver. There is no foul language, sexual content, or real violence. The main concern is that it models pranking behavior — specifically startling someone without their knowledge — which kids might try to replicate. On the positive side, the prank is low-stakes, uses creativity, and the horror figures are toys rather than anything genuinely threatening. Parents should be aware that younger children might not yet understand the difference between a fun prank among consenting friends and unwanted harassment.

Talk to Your Kids About

1How do you think the person being pranked felt when they saw the scary figure on the camera? Do you think they thought it was funny too?
2Is it always okay to prank your friends? How can you tell if a prank might go too far or hurt someone's feelings?
3Why do you think people enjoy watching prank videos? What makes something funny versus mean?
4If you wanted to do a fun prank on a friend, how would you make sure it was safe and that they'd laugh about it too?

Backup Camera Scare Prank w/ Jimmy Kimmel

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

@JimmyKimmelLive

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this video appropriate for?

We recommend this video for ages 8 and up. Younger children may not yet have the social awareness to distinguish between a harmless prank and unkind behavior, and might imitate the stunt without understanding the context.

Is there any scary content in this video?

The prank uses horror-themed action figures like Freddie Krueger and Jason, which are recognizable scary characters. However, they appear only as small plastic toys, so the content is unlikely to be genuinely frightening for most school-age kids.

Could my child try to copy this prank?

It's possible — the prank is simple and the instructions are clearly explained in the clip. Parents may want to discuss with their child why pranks should only be done with people who would genuinely find it funny, and with safety in mind.

Is there any bad language or inappropriate content?

No, the clip contains no profanity, sexual content, or violence. It is a very short, lighthearted segment focused entirely on setting up and revealing the prank.

Is this video educational in any way?

The video has minimal educational value — it's entertainment-focused content from a late-night comedy show. That said, it can open up useful conversations about humor, consent, and what makes a prank fun versus hurtful.

Does this video promote bullying?

The prank is presented as friendly fun rather than targeted cruelty, and the bullying score is very low. However, it's worth reminding kids that pranks should always be done with someone's wellbeing in mind, and that not everyone finds being startled funny.