Watchly Safety Review

Octopus vs Underwater Maze

17:13 · 114.0M views · November 24, 2023

Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

6Minor Flags

This is an exceptionally well-produced educational video featuring Mark Rober's engineering experiment with a pet octopus navigating an obstacle course. The content is genuinely educational, teaching marine biology, physics, and problem-solving while maintaining high production values and respectful treatment of the animal, which is ultimately returned to the ocean.

Content Breakdown · 6 Categories

Gambling Mechanics in GamesA little

Minor reference to a 'platinum ticket' lottery system in the CrunchLabs boxes, where random boxes contain a special prize. This is a low-level variable reward mechanism but not extensively promoted.

See evidence (1)

“On top of that, each month your box has a chance to contain the platinum ticket, and if you get it well then you're coming out here to CrunchLabs to build with me and my team for day”End of video during CrunchLabs promotion

Parasocial & Emotional ManipulationA little

Mild parasocial language present in the promotional segments, using inclusive 'we' language and positioning the creator as a collaborative partner. Not extensively manipulative but present.

See evidence (2)

“We're right there in the trenches, building, learning, and succeeding together so the principles really sink in”Mid-video and end-video promotional segments

“So if you want to embark on this monthly journey with me”

Engagement Baiting & Manipulative CTAsA little

Mild engagement-oriented CTAs present in the promotional content, encouraging viewers to request the product for Christmas and showing enthusiastic child reactions. Not heavily manipulative but present.

See evidence (3)

“So if you're a kid and you're looking for something to put at the top of your Christmas list”Mid-video and end-video promotional segments

“Then a CrunchLabs Build Box subscription is the answer. Because with the build box not only do you get a super fun toy”

“So if you want a Christmas morning reaction like this or this, or this”

Sexual Education & Reproductive HealthA little

Brief, age-appropriate mention of octopus reproduction in an educational context. Not detailed or inappropriate.

See evidence (2)

“Which meant that in the exact same coves in tide pools that her mother did for her, soon Sashimi would be extending that ever changing tree of life by one more generation”Near end of video

“And as a final act after laying her eggs, a female will continually watch over and protect them to the point that she stops eating and dies”

Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

Very minor reference to octopus as a predator hunting in natural context. Presented educationally, not graphically.

See evidence (2)

“And as you can see here... It's one of the reasons they're such successful hunters in and around tide pools”During discussion of octopus capabilities

“Shawday! Theres an octopus eating a crab!”

Hidden Advertising & Sponsored ContentA little

The video contains multiple promotional segments for CrunchLabs Build Box, the creator's own company. While disclosed as his own company, the promotional content is integrated throughout and at the end. The promotional nature is transparent but extensive.

See evidence (3)

“So if you're a kid and you're looking for something to put at the top of your Christmas list, or you're just looking to be the household hero by giving it to someone else, use the link at the video description or head to CrunchLabs.com”Mid-video during octopus maze sequence

“I started a company called CrunchLabs, where we build a toy together, and then I teach you all the juicy physics for how it works”End of video

“Just go to CrunchLabs.com or use the link to the video description where we're giving away those two boxes free as a holiday special”

What Parents Need to Know

This video contains integrated advertising for the creator's CrunchLabs subscription box service, woven throughout the content and especially prominent at the beginning and end. While the octopus content is educational and appropriate, parents should be aware their child will be exposed to product marketing and may request the subscription service afterward. The video discusses octopus biology including their short lifespan and death after reproduction, presented factually but potentially sad for sensitive children. There's brief mention of octopi being eaten by humans. The creator demonstrates genuine care for the animal and models ethical behavior by returning it to the wild.

Talk to Your Kids About

1Ask your child what they found most interesting about octopus intelligence and abilities - this can lead to discussions about different types of intelligence in nature
2Talk about the ethical considerations of keeping wild animals as pets and why the creator decided to return the octopus to the ocean
3Discuss how advertising works in videos and how to recognize when content creators are selling products, even in educational content
4Explore the concept of the 'tree of life' and how different species evolved - this video provides an excellent jumping-off point for evolution discussions

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

I, for one, welcome our Octopus overlords. Ask for the CrunchLabs Build Box for Christmas and then let’s build some cool stuff together. Get the Holiday special two FREE boxes at https://crunchlabs.com/octopus I started a company called CrunchLabs, where we build a toy together, and then I teach you all the juicy physics for how it works. So if you want to learn to think like an engineer and have a really fun time doing it, check out the current promotion where you get 2 FREE boxes at https://crunchlabs.com/octopus Thanks to these folks for providing some of the music in the video: Ponder - / @Pondermusic Laura Shigihara - @supershigi Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie Blue Wednesday - https://soundcloud.com/bluewednesday Special thanks to https://www.thunderlaserusa.com prototyping and building this maze would not have been possible without their very cool tools. And @CustomAquariums for helping us with our tank research. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Promotion starts on 1/1/2023 & ends on 12/31/23, subject to monthly entry deadlines. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. 1 prize per month: each month is its own separate promotion. For the first 2-3 months, winner may be notified via phone call instead of winning game piece. If a monthly prize is unclaimed/forfeited, it will be awarded via 2nd chance drawing. See Official Rules at crunchlabs.com/sweepstakes for full details on eligibility requirements, how to enter, free method of entry, prize claim procedure, prize description and limitations. Void where prohibited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this video appropriate for young children who love animals?

Yes, for ages 8 and up. The content is educational and the octopus is treated humanely throughout. Younger children (5-7) might find the discussion of octopus lifespan and death sad, and may not fully understand the evolutionary concepts presented. The video does show the octopus being kept in captivity temporarily, but emphasizes returning it to the wild.

How much advertising is in this video?

The video contains significant integrated advertising for CrunchLabs Build Box subscription service, appearing at the beginning, middle, and end. While the octopus content itself is genuinely educational, parents should expect their child may ask about purchasing the subscription afterward. The ads are clearly the creator's own product rather than third-party sponsors.

What educational value does this video provide?

Excellent educational content about marine biology, octopus intelligence, evolution, and engineering problem-solving. Children learn about octopus anatomy, camouflage abilities, nervous system, and evolutionary history. The video also demonstrates the scientific method and ethical considerations in animal care, making it valuable for STEM learning.

Is the octopus harmed or stressed in this video?

The octopus appears well-cared for in an appropriate saltwater tank and is ultimately returned to its natural habitat. The creator demonstrates knowledge of proper octopus care and ethical considerations. The obstacle course appears designed with the animal's natural behaviors in mind rather than forcing unnatural actions.

Are there any sad or upsetting parts for sensitive kids?

The video mentions that octopi have short lifespans of about 1.5 years and that females die after laying eggs and protecting them. This is presented factually as part of their life cycle, but sensitive children might find this information sad. There's also brief mention of octopi being caught for food and pet stores.

What age child would understand and enjoy this content?

Children ages 8-13 will get the most from this video, as they can understand the evolutionary concepts, engineering challenges, and ethical considerations presented. Younger children (5-7) can enjoy watching the octopus solve puzzles but may miss deeper educational content and need help processing information about animal lifespans and captivity ethics.