RealLifeLore is one of the better corners of YouTube—genuinely educational, well-produced, and free of the toxicity that plagues much of the platform. Joseph Pisenti has built a channel that makes learning about geography, history, and global systems actually interesting, using clear narration and simple visuals that demystify complex topics.

That said, it's still YouTube, which means you're dealing with enabled comments, algorithm-driven recommendations, and the platform's inherent pull toward endless scrolling. The content itself is solid, but some videos touch on war, disasters, and geopolitical tensions that could be unsettling for younger or more anxious viewers. And while reviewers praise the channel's entertainment value, they also note occasional factual errors and one-sided framing—so this is a 'watch with critical thinking engaged' situation.

If your teen is curious about how the world works and you want them consuming something substantive instead of TikTok brain rot, RealLifeLore is a strong choice. Just set boundaries around screen time and maybe co-watch a few episodes to gauge fit. It's not a replacement for reading books or going outside, but as far as YouTube goes, you could do a lot worse.