Crash Course World History – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Crash Course World History

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2006

78%

WISE Score

16.8M

Subscribers

John Green talks really, really fast about world history—and somehow makes it actually interesting.

Crash Course World History

YouTube

2006

78%

WISE Score

16.8M

Subscribers

John Green talks really, really fast about world history—and somehow makes it actually interesting.

Jump to

Also rated on

16.8M

Screenwise Verdict

Crash Course World History is legitimately one of the best free educational resources on the internet. John Green's rapid-fire delivery and genuine enthusiasm make history feel alive rather than like a dusty textbook chapter.

The enrichment value is undeniable—this is college-level content made accessible and engaging. But it's not perfect for every kid. The pace is relentless (you can practically see John taking breaths between sentences), and younger viewers will need to pause frequently. Some historical realities—wars, exploitation, violence—are discussed honestly but appropriately.

The bigger concern? It's YouTube. Even with great content, you're one autoplay away from algorithm chaos. Watch with comments off for younger kids, and maybe use it as intentional learning time rather than free browsing.

Bottom line: This is what educational YouTube should be. Just remember that getting kids hooked on YouTube—even the good stuff—comes with platform baggage.

Age Fit

Best for ages 11-12+ through adult. The pace and density work well for middle schoolers through college students (and curious adults). Younger kids might enjoy it with parental co-viewing and pause breaks, but the speed and conceptual complexity are aimed at older learners.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Educational content delivered with enthusiasm and humor by John Green. Fast-paced but not chaotic. Common Sense Media notes some bias and occasional inappropriate jokes, but overall models curiosity and intellectual engagement. The tone is respectful and encouraging of learning.

Imaginative

Uses creative visual elements, cartoons, and fast-paced editing to make history engaging. The format encourages curiosity and connecting historical events across time periods. However, it's a lecture-style format without interactive elements—students watch rather than create or explore independently.

Safe

Comments are enabled on a channel with 16.8M subscribers, which introduces some risk. Parent reviews mention occasional 'bad words' and some mature historical topics (war, colonialism, etc.) presented appropriately but still present. No graphic content, but historical realities aren't sugar-coated. No kids mode available.

Enriching

High-quality educational content covering world history comprehensively. Free access to college-level material. Builds historical thinking, context, and connections. Common Sense Education praises the approach for keeping students interested. Over 2 billion views suggests genuine educational value and engagement.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Free, high-quality educational content that's genuinely engaging—over 2 billion views for a reason
Makes complex historical concepts accessible through humor, cartoons, and John Green's infectious enthusiasm
Covers massive historical scope with nuance—encourages critical thinking about causes, effects, and connections
Perfect supplement for homeschoolers or students who need history to click
Part of larger Crash Course ecosystem covering science, literature, and more

⚠

What to Watch For

Very fast-paced delivery—younger kids may need frequent pausing or rewatching
Historical topics include war, colonialism, and other mature themes (age-appropriately handled but still real)
Occasional mild language and jokes that miss the mark, according to parent reviews
Comments section is open on a massive channel—younger viewers should watch supervised or with comments hidden
It's still YouTube, so the algorithm will try to serve up whatever keeps eyeballs glued next

Conversation Starters

"What's one thing from this episode that connected to something you already knew?"
"John Green mentioned [historical event]—why do you think that mattered for what came next?"
"Did anything surprise you about how people lived back then?"
"How would you explain this time period to someone who'd never heard of it?"
"What questions do you still have after watching this?"