Watchly Safety Review

Scooby Doo Surveillance Cam (w/ 2 iPhones)

3:16 · 5.5M views · November 29, 2012

Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

4Minor Flags

This quirky DIY tutorial is largely safe and creative, showing viewers how to build a Scooby-Doo-style hidden camera using two iPhones and a picture frame. The video is lighthearted and inventive, though it casually mentions using the device for eavesdropping on a sibling and corporate espionage in a jokey way that younger kids might not fully recognize as satire.

Content Breakdown · 4 Categories

Hidden Advertising & Sponsored ContentA little

The video mentions a free third-party app (Digital Dudz) and links to it in the description, but this appears to be a genuine helpful recommendation rather than an undisclosed paid promotion, and no compensation is implied.

See evidence (1)

“The FREE Digital Dudz app will give you the same moving eye picture frame effect (from description)”

Parasocial & Emotional ManipulationA little

A standard subscribe call-to-action appears at the end ('you best be subscribing'), which is routine channel promotion rather than guilt-tripping or emotional manipulation.

See evidence (1)

“'So, if you're still looking for an idea, you best be subscribing either up there or in the link below this video.'”

Toxic Behavior ModelingA little

The video humorously references using the camera for 'eavesdropping on your sister' and 'corporate espionage,' but these are clearly tongue-in-cheek jokes in a comedic infomercial parody style and not genuine instruction or glorification of harmful behavior.

See evidence (2)

“'Use it to ease drop on your sister, Jeff.'”

“'He's tot or corporate espionage. The offer is 30, but we could go 25, maybe even 24.'”

Engagement Baiting & Manipulative CTAsA little

The subscribe prompt ('you best be subscribing') is a mild, playful CTA without guilt-tripping, superstition framing, or coercive exclusion language.

See evidence (1)

“'you best be subscribing either up there or in the link below this video'”

What Parents Need to Know

This is a fun, creative maker-style video inspired by Scooby-Doo that walks viewers through building a novelty surveillance gadget using FaceTime and a picture frame. The educational upside is real — it encourages DIY thinking, resourcefulness, and creativity with everyday materials. However, parents should be aware that the video jokes about using the device to 'eavesdrop on your sister' and conduct 'corporate espionage,' which, while clearly satirical for older viewers, could give younger children the wrong idea about privacy and consent. There is also a brief plug for a free app the creator made and a subscription call-to-action at the end, though neither is pushy or deceptive.

Talk to Your Kids About

1The video jokes about spying on a sister or at a business meeting — why would secretly recording or listening to someone without their permission be a problem in real life?
2What do you think makes this a fun Halloween or party decoration rather than an actual surveillance tool?
3The creator wears a lab coat and pretends to be in a commercial — how can you tell when someone online is being funny versus giving you real advice?
4If you wanted to make something creative like this, what would you use it for, and who would you tell about it first?

Scooby Doo Surveillance Cam (w/ 2 iPhones)

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

A simple trick to give you all the convenience of a Scooby Doo bad guy, without having to do any construction on your walls. SUBSCRIBE: http://tinyurl.com/MarkRober-Sub Link to down the pictures I used. Print 11x17 in color for best results: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8504613/Wall%20Pictures.zip The FREE Digital Dudz app will give you the same moving eye picture frame effect without going through the trouble of using a second device (you don't get the surveillance feed either though): Apple download: http://tinyurl.com/DigitalDudz-Apple Android download: http://tinyurl.com/DigitalDudz-Android 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 MUSIC: - "So Easy" by Royksopp - "The Departed" Howard Shore - "Top of the World" by Qwiet. It's on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/top-of-the-world/id489568533?i=489568535 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 - All other music was purchased royalty free from Pond5.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this video appropriate for?

We recommend this video for ages 10 and up. While there is no inappropriate language or violence, the humor around eavesdropping and corporate espionage is satirical in a way younger children may not fully grasp, and the DIY project requires adult supervision to execute safely.

Does the video teach kids how to spy on people?

The video is framed as a comedic parody of Scooby-Doo villains and infomercial culture, not a genuine guide to surveillance. That said, it does joke about using the device to eavesdrop on a sibling, so it's worth a quick conversation with your child about privacy and consent.

Is there any inappropriate language or content?

No. The video scores essentially zero across all major content concern categories including language, violence, and sexual content. It is clean and family-friendly in tone throughout.

Is there advertising or sponsored content in the video?

The creator briefly promotes a free Halloween app they made and encourages viewers to subscribe to their channel at the end. These are low-key and transparent, not disguised as part of the tutorial content.

Is the DIY project safe for kids to try?

The project involves cutting cardboard, using duct tape, and handling mobile devices, so parental supervision is recommended especially for younger children. No dangerous tools or materials are involved, making it a relatively accessible craft project.

What does a child learn from watching this video?

Kids can pick up creative problem-solving and DIY thinking, learning how to repurpose inexpensive thrift-store items into a fun tech-integrated decoration. It also subtly encourages media literacy by parodying infomercial tropes and pharmaceutical advertising conventions.