Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is the real deal—a professional screenwriting tool that over a million people actually use, including writers on major films. If your teen is serious about storytelling, this is infinitely better than trying to format scripts in Google Docs.

The automatic formatting is brilliant because it removes the tedious technical stuff and lets kids focus on what matters: character, dialogue, story structure. The collaboration features are genuinely useful for creative partnerships, not just social fluff. And the revision tracking teaches the most important lesson in writing: first drafts are supposed to be terrible, and that's fine.

The catch? This is a tool, not a game. Kids need actual interest in screenwriting to stick with it. But for the right kid—the one writing Star Wars fanfic or filming YouTube sketches or obsessed with how movies are made—this is gold. It's teaching real professional skills while supporting pure creative expression.

Free version is solid for getting started. Paid tiers unlock more collaboration features and export options, but most teens won't need that immediately.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12+ who are genuinely interested in storytelling, filmmaking, or creative writing. Younger kids (9-11) with strong writing skills and a specific project in mind could use it with parent guidance, but the screenplay format and professional interface may be overwhelming without real motivation.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

A professional screenwriting tool with zero inappropriate content, no social pressure mechanics, and a supportive creative environment. The collaborative features (comments, chat) are work-focused and designed for productive co-writing rather than social drama. Models professional creative collaboration and persistence in craft.

Imaginative

96

Exceptional tool for creative expression—literally built for storytelling and world-building. Removes technical barriers (automatic formatting) so writers can focus entirely on imagination and narrative craft. Real-time collaboration enables creative partnership. Used by over a million screenwriters including professionals on major films. This is pure creative output.

Safe

95

Productivity app with no ads, no predatory monetization, no social media toxicity. The collaborative features are professional and purposeful. Has a kids mode available according to platform data. No content concerns—it's a blank page for writing. The only minor consideration is that real-time collaboration requires internet and involves sharing work, but this is standard professional practice.

Enriching

94

Builds genuine professional skills in screenwriting, story structure, and creative collaboration. Teaches industry-standard formatting and revision tracking—actual career-relevant competencies. Develops persistence, editing discipline, and the ability to give/receive creative feedback. The timeline feature teaches iterative improvement. This is skill-building disguised as a creative tool.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Removes all technical barriers to storytelling—automatic industry-standard formatting means kids focus on the story, not margins and tabs
Real-time collaboration teaches professional creative partnership and how to give/receive feedback constructively
Timeline and revision tracking builds editing discipline and shows that great writing is rewriting
Works seamlessly across devices with offline mode—write on the bus, sync at home
Used by actual Hollywood professionals, so teens are learning with real industry tools, not dumbed-down versions

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What to Watch For

This is a professional tool—there's a learning curve to screenplay format and structure, so younger kids may need guidance getting started
Collaboration features require internet and involve sharing work, so talk about appropriate co-writers and keeping drafts private until ready
Freemium model means some advanced features are paywalled—basic version is solid, but serious writers may want paid tier

Conversation Starters

"What story are you working on? Tell me about your main character—what do they want more than anything?"
"How's it going writing with your friend? What's it like to see someone else's ideas show up in your script in real-time?"
"Have you used the timeline feature to look back at earlier drafts? What changed and why?"
"What's harder—coming up with the idea or actually writing all the scenes? Why do you think that is?"

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