3Blue1Brown – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

3Blue1Brown

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2015

95%

WISE Score

8.0M

Subscribers

Mesmerizing math animations that make calculus and linear algebra feel like magic—for kids (and adults) ready to think deeply.

3Blue1Brown

YouTube

2015

95%

WISE Score

8.0M

Subscribers

Mesmerizing math animations that make calculus and linear algebra feel like magic—for kids (and adults) ready to think deeply.

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8.0M

Screenwise Verdict

This is what YouTube was meant for.

3Blue1Brown is educational content at its finest—no gimmicks, no manipulation, just a deeply knowledgeable teacher using custom-built animation tools to make abstract mathematics visible and intuitive. Grant Sanderson has created something rare: videos that are both intellectually rigorous and genuinely beautiful to watch.

The channel won't work for everyone. If your kid hates math or has zero foundation, starting here might be frustrating. But for the student who's curious about why formulas work, who wants to understand calculus before memorizing derivatives, or who just thinks math is cool, this is transformative stuff.

At 225 videos and counting, there's a wealth of content covering everything from basic geometry to quantum mechanics. The pacing is deliberate, the explanations are patient, and the community is refreshingly mature. This is screen time you can feel genuinely good about.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12+ who have some foundational math (pre-algebra or higher), though exceptionally curious 10-11 year-olds might enjoy simpler videos. The content itself is ageless—plenty of college students, grad students, and adult math enthusiasts are in the audience. If your kid is genuinely interested in understanding how math works (not just getting homework done), this is gold.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Grant Sanderson's channel is remarkably patient, thoughtful, and encouraging. The tone is calm, methodical, and deeply respectful of the viewer's intelligence. No chaos, no clickbait thumbnails, no manufactured drama—just pure mathematical exploration delivered with warmth and genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter. The pacing is deliberate, giving viewers time to think and absorb concepts.

Imaginative

This channel redefines what mathematical visualization can be. The custom-built animation engine (Manim) creates mesmerizing, fluid representations of abstract concepts—turning calculus, linear algebra, and complex numbers into visual poetry. Each video invites viewers to see familiar problems from entirely new angles, literally changing perspective to make difficult ideas click. It's not just teaching math; it's teaching creative problem-solving and the art of looking at things differently.

Safe

About as safe as educational content gets. Pure mathematics and physics visualization with no ads, no inappropriate content, no toxicity. Comments are enabled but the community is remarkably civil—mostly math enthusiasts discussing concepts. No monetization pressure, no clickbait, no manipulation tactics. The only 'risk' is that some concepts might go over a viewer's head, but that's intellectual challenge, not safety concern.

Enriching

This is top-tier cognitive enrichment. The channel doesn't just teach formulas—it builds deep mathematical intuition and develops spatial reasoning. Topics include calculus, linear algebra, neural networks, Fourier transforms, and more, all explained from first principles with stunning clarity. However, as Reddit discussions note, it's most valuable for learners who already have some foundation; complete beginners might struggle. Still, for the right audience, this is transformative educational content that can genuinely change how someone thinks about mathematics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning visual animations turn abstract math into something you can actually see and understand—calculus has never looked this beautiful
Grant Sanderson's teaching philosophy focuses on intuition and understanding over memorization, building genuine mathematical thinking
Nearly 8 million subscribers and 700+ million views from a community of engaged learners, not passive scrollers
Topics range from foundational (what is pi, really?) to advanced (neural networks, Fourier transforms) with consistent clarity
Zero manipulation tactics, ads, or content designed to keep you watching—just pure educational value

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What to Watch For

Not ideal for complete beginners with zero math background—works best when you have some foundation to build on
Requires active engagement and focus; this isn't background viewing or 'edutainment,' it's actual learning
Some videos tackle genuinely complex topics that even adults might need to rewatch to fully grasp
Comments section is open but remarkably civil—mostly math discussion, though you'll want to supervise younger kids

Conversation Starters

"What was the coolest visual in that video? How did it help you understand the concept better?"
"Can you explain what you just learned back to me in your own words?"
"Which topic should we watch next—something you're learning in school or something completely new?"
"Do you think seeing math this way makes it easier or harder to understand than just reading it in a textbook?"