Watchly Safety Review

Beating iPhone Heart Halloween Costume + 20 more high-tech costumes

3:47 · 6.1M views · October 3, 2012

Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

7Minor Flags

This Halloween costume tutorial from NASA engineer Mark Rober is creative, fun, and safe for most kids, though parents should note it doubles as a promotional video for a paid app and merchandise store. The video showcases clever DIY tech costumes using a smartphone app, making it genuinely engaging and inventive, with only minor concerns around a brief political joke and some light spooky imagery.

Content Breakdown · 7 Categories

Realistic Violence, Threats & WeaponsA little

The video features fake wounds and simulated beating hearts as Halloween costume effects, but these are clearly novelty costume gimmicks rather than realistic depictions of violence or threats.

See evidence (1)

“References to 'fake blood', 'iWound', 'gore', 'bloody' in tags and description — all in the context of Halloween costume novelty apps”

Bullying, Cruelty & DiscriminationA little

The phrase 'the rich jerk who can afford this costume' is mildly dismissive but is clearly self-deprecating humor about the product's price point rather than targeted cruelty or discrimination against any individual or group.

See evidence (1)

“'the rich jerk who can afford this costume' — casual joke about cost of the costume”

Hidden Advertising & Sponsored ContentA little

The video prominently promotes Digital Dudz app and Morph Costumes products with direct purchase links, but the promotional nature is transparent and openly disclosed in the description rather than disguised as organic content.

See evidence (3)

“Description links directly to morphsuits.com to purchase shirts and iWound products”

“'Get your shirt or iWound before they're all picked over' — promotional language in description”

“'Check out the new ones at Morph Costumes' — direct brand promotion”

Materialism & Wealth FlexingA little

The video references owning an iPhone/iPad as required for the costume app, but this is functional product context rather than wealth-flexing or materialism promotion.

See evidence (1)

“Implicit requirement of owning an iPhone or iPad to use the Digital Dudz app”

Parasocial & Emotional ManipulationA little

Standard YouTube channel promotion appears in the description (subscribe, follow on Twitter, Facebook), but there is no guilt-tripping, manufactured drama, or emotional dependency language directed at viewers.

See evidence (1)

“Subscribe and social media follow links in description — standard creator promotion”

Geopolitical Commentary & AdvocacyA little

The transcript briefly references wearing the costume to show support or lack of support for political candidates around election time, which constitutes mild political commentary, though it is framed humorously and without strong partisan advocacy.

See evidence (1)

“'Halloween is just six days before the election so wear this to show your support for one of these guys or turn on dirt mode to show your lack of support for one of these guys' — brief election-related political commentary”

Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

The costume app simulates a beating heart visible through the chest and fake wound effects (iWound), which are clearly playful Halloween novelty gimmicks with no realistic or harmful framing — appropriate for the Halloween context.

See evidence (3)

“Beating heart Halloween costume — app displays animated beating heart through shirt”

“iWound — simulated fake wound costume effect”

“References to 'gore', 'bloody', 'fake blood' in tags — all in Halloween costume novelty context”

What Parents Need to Know

This video is primarily a fun, creative showcase of tech-powered Halloween costumes using a free smartphone app called Digital Duds, designed by the creator. Kids will likely find it inspiring and it encourages creativity and DIY thinking. However, parents should know the video is also a soft advertisement — it repeatedly directs viewers to buy shirts and an 'eye wound' prop through the app or website. There's a brief political joke referencing election candidates (presented lightheartedly), and one costume involves a fake chest wound animation, which is mildly gory but played for laughs. Language is clean throughout, and there's nothing sexually suggestive or genuinely frightening. The overall tone is enthusiastic and inventive, and older kids interested in tech or Halloween costumes will likely enjoy it.

Talk to Your Kids About

1What was your favorite costume idea in the video, and could you think of a creative way to make your own version?
2The video is also trying to sell something — did you notice that? How can you tell when a video is also an advertisement?
3The creator made a joke about politics — what do you think about mixing humor with topics like elections?
4If you could design your own interactive costume using a phone, what would it look like and what would it do?

Beating iPhone Heart Halloween Costume + 20 more high-tech costumes

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

NO MORE DUCT TAPE OR SCISSORS REQUIRED for 2013!!! Check out the new ones at Morph Costumes. Digital Dudz are pretty much your key to Halloween party domination... just sayin. Apple download: http://tinyurl.com/DigitalDudz-Apple Android download: http://tinyurl.com/DigitalDudz-Android Get your shirt or iWound before they're all picked over: http://www.morphsuits.com/digital-dudz/tshirts See reactions to the iWound from Magic of Rahat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXMBJCj8vD8&list=UUCsj3Uk-cuVQejdoX-Pc_Lg&index=1&feature=plcp See 7 cool Halloween Decoration ideas using the free Digital Dudz app: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSyjGJrtvbs See Mr. Arturo Trejo explain costume genius: http://youtu.be/QZkgYgWeK1E I make videos like this once a month all year long while supplies last: SUBSCRIBE: http://tinyurl.com/MarkRober-Sub CHECK OUT MY CHANNEL: http://tinyurl.com/MarkRober-YouTube FOLLOW ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/MarkRober FACEBOOK ME: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRoberYouTube The music in this video is from a song called "Shock the World" by Qwiet. It's on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shock-the-world-single/id566464806 or on his website (http://qwiet.com). He also makes cool videos. You should subscribe to his channel: http://youtube.com/qwietmusic Twitter: http://twitter.com/qwiet Facebook: http://facebook.com/qwiet

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this video appropriate for?

We recommend this video for kids aged 8 and up. The content is mostly lighthearted and creative, but a brief fake wound animation and a political joke are better suited to older children who can understand the humor in context.

Is there anything scary or violent in this video?

There is one costume called the 'eye wound' that displays an animated bleeding wound on a phone screen — it's played for comedic effect but could be mildly unsettling for younger or more sensitive children. The rest of the costumes are fun and imaginative rather than frightening.

Is this video actually an advertisement?

Yes, in part. While it presents genuinely creative costume ideas, the video repeatedly promotes a free app and a paid merchandise store (Digital Duds) where viewers can buy shirts and props. It's worth discussing this with kids as a real-world example of branded content.

Is there any inappropriate language or sexual content?

No, the language is completely clean throughout the video and there is no sexual content or suggestive material of any kind. It's suitable in that respect for a wide age range.

Does the video contain any political content?

There is a brief, lighthearted joke referencing election candidates as costume options, including a 'dirt mode' to show disapproval. It's not partisan or deeply political, but parents who prefer to avoid political references with younger kids should be aware of it.

Is there any educational value in this video?

Yes — the video encourages creative thinking, DIY problem-solving, and shows how technology (smartphones and apps) can be used in imaginative ways. It's a good conversation starter about creativity, advertising, and how everyday tools can be repurposed.