NileRed – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

NileRed

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2014

88%

WISE Score

10.5M

Subscribers

A chemist who left grad school to make turning cotton balls into cotton candy his full-time job—and it's actually educational genius.

NileRed

YouTube

2014

88%

WISE Score

10.5M

Subscribers

A chemist who left grad school to make turning cotton balls into cotton candy his full-time job—and it's actually educational genius.

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10.5M

Screenwise Verdict

NileRed is that rare YouTube unicorn: massively popular, genuinely educational, and remarkably clean. This is a guy who literally quit grad school to make chemistry videos full-time, and it shows—the production quality, scientific accuracy, and creative experiment design are all top-tier.

The channel succeeds because it makes chemistry feel like magic tricks with explanations. Turning gloves into grape soda or extracting metal from antacids isn't just cool—it teaches real molecular science. Parents recommended it in Reddit threads as positive content that won't lead kids down toxic rabbit holes.

The only reason this doesn't score higher overall is the YouTube platform itself. Even the best channel can't escape the algorithm's pull toward more addictive content. But as far as educational STEM channels go, NileRed is about as good as it gets. If your kid is going to be on YouTube anyway, this is exactly the kind of content you'd want them watching.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-99, especially kids with budding STEM interests. Younger kids (8-9) with strong science curiosity could enjoy with a parent, but the pacing and depth require real attention. The content is clean enough for all ages, but the educational value peaks for middle schoolers through adults who can grasp the underlying chemistry concepts.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

NileRed presents chemistry with genuine enthusiasm and professionalism. The creator's educational background (BSc in Biochemistry) and clear passion for teaching shine through. Content is respectful, focused on science, and models intellectual curiosity without any toxic behavior, inappropriate language, or chaotic editing. The Plugged In review confirms 'content concerns all but inert' - a chemistry pun that also speaks to the clean nature of the channel.

Imaginative

Turning cotton balls into cotton candy, making grape soda from gloves, extracting bismuth from Pepto-Bismol - NileRed excels at showing chemistry as creative problem-solving. Each video demonstrates that everyday items can be transformed through scientific processes, inspiring viewers to see the world through a chemical lens. The channel balances theory with applied chemistry in genuinely novel ways that spark curiosity about how things work at a molecular level.

Safe

Exceptionally safe for educational YouTube content. No profanity, violence, sexual content, or toxic behavior. The IMDb parent guide for sample videos shows zero concerns across all categories. While experiments involve chemicals and lab procedures, NileRed presents them in controlled, professional settings with clear safety awareness. Comments are enabled but the audience skews educational/science-interested. Only minor deduction because it's still YouTube with algorithmic recommendations that could lead elsewhere.

Enriching

This is STEM education at its finest. With 10.5M subscribers and 4.4B views, NileRed has proven that chemistry can be genuinely engaging. Videos build scientific literacy, critical thinking, and appreciation for chemical processes. The creator explicitly states his mission: 'chemistry is often taught poorly... I try to balance theory with purpose... capture the natural beauty of chemistry.' Each video delivers both entertainment and substantive learning about molecular structures, reactions, and scientific methodology.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Transforms chemistry from boring textbook stuff into genuinely fascinating experiments that make you say 'wait, you can DO that?'
Creator has real credentials (BSc in Biochemistry, worked in organic chemistry labs) and teaches with both rigor and accessibility
Videos balance entertainment with legitimate science education—kids actually learn molecular processes and chemical reactions
Clean, professional presentation with zero inappropriate content, toxicity, or chaos
Recommended by parents in nerdfighter communities as positive 'non-manosphere' content for kids

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What to Watch For

Videos can be fairly long (10-30+ minutes) and require genuine attention span—this isn't TikTok-style content
Some experiments involve dangerous chemicals and procedures; emphasize these are done by a trained chemist in a proper lab (not DIY at home)
Still YouTube, so the platform's algorithm and sidebar recommendations could lead to less wholesome content
Best for kids who already have some science interest—not flashy enough to hook kids who want pure entertainment

Conversation Starters

"What's the coolest chemical transformation you saw? Why do you think that reaction happened?"
"NileRed shows that everyday items like cotton balls or gloves are made of specific chemicals. What other things around our house do you wonder about?"
"He mentions safety equipment and procedures in his videos. Why is that so important when working with chemicals?"
"Would you want to be a chemist? What kind of experiments would you want to try if you had a proper lab?"