Microsoft PowerPoint – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Microsoft PowerPoint

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2015

83%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

The presentation software your kid will eventually need to know anyway—might as well let them make slideshows about dinosaurs now.

Microsoft PowerPoint

app

Everyone, 2015

83%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

The presentation software your kid will eventually need to know anyway—might as well let them make slideshows about dinosaurs now.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

PowerPoint is the rare app that's both genuinely educational and genuinely useful in the real world. It's not going to compete with YouTube or Roblox for your kid's attention, but that's kind of the point—it's a tool for when they have something to say and need to say it clearly.

The Presenter Coach feature is legitimately cool and helpful for kids (and adults) who get nervous speaking in front of others. And letting kids make presentations about their obsessions—whether that's Pokémon, space, or how to build the perfect Minecraft base—turns screen time into skill-building time.

The subscription model is annoying if you're not already paying for Microsoft 365, but if your household uses Office apps anyway, this is a solid addition. It's not flashy, it's not addictive, and your kid probably won't beg to use it—but when they need to make a book report, a science project, or pitch why they deserve a later bedtime, they'll have a real skill in their toolkit.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8+ when kids can read fluently and have the fine motor skills for drag-and-drop editing. Younger kids (6-7) can use it with adult help for simple projects. Teens and adults use it constantly for school and work, so it has lifelong utility.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

PowerPoint is a neutral productivity tool with no concerning content. It's emotionally neutral, promotes clear communication, and encourages organized thinking. The Presenter Coach feature actually models constructive feedback and self-improvement without judgment. No toxicity, no manipulative elements, just a straightforward tool for creating and sharing ideas.

Imaginative

PowerPoint is fundamentally a creative tool—you're building visual stories from scratch, choosing layouts, adding graphics, charts, and multimedia. The blank slide is an invitation to express ideas however you want. That said, it's more structured than truly open-ended creative tools (like drawing apps or Minecraft), and many users just fill in templates rather than innovating. But for kids who enjoy organizing information, making presentations about their interests, or creating digital stories, there's real creative potential here.

Safe

Extremely safe as a standalone app. No ads in the core experience (though requires Microsoft 365 subscription for full features), no social features, no user-generated content exposure, no chat. Kids can't stumble into anything inappropriate. The main safety consideration is that it requires internet connectivity and Microsoft account sign-in, but there's no manipulation, no dark patterns, no infinite scroll mechanics. It's a tool, not a feed.

Enriching

This is legitimately skill-building software. Kids learn visual communication, organization, public speaking (via Presenter Coach), design principles, and how to synthesize information into digestible chunks. These are real-world, transferable skills used in school and careers. The Presenter Coach feature with AI feedback on pacing and filler words is genuinely valuable for developing confidence. PowerPoint literacy is practically a life skill at this point—knowing how to make a clear, compelling presentation matters.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches genuinely useful skills: visual communication, organization, public speaking, and design thinking
Presenter Coach gives real-time AI feedback on pacing and filler words—actually helpful for building confidence
Kids can create multimedia presentations about anything they're passionate about, turning interests into shareable projects
Cross-device sync means they can work on projects anywhere without version chaos
It's a blank canvas with structure—great for kids who like organizing information and telling stories visually

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What to Watch For

Requires Microsoft 365 subscription for full functionality—not a one-time purchase
This is a tool, not entertainment—kids won't naturally gravitate to it without a project or purpose
Some kids find the learning curve frustrating initially; they might need guidance on design basics to avoid cluttered slides

Conversation Starters

"What topic are you most excited to make a presentation about? Your favorite animal? A game you love?"
"Want to practice presenting something to the family? We can use the Coach feature to help you feel more confident."
"How would you design a slide to explain [something they're interested in] to someone who's never heard of it?"

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