TikTok is bringing its STEM feed to all users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland. Previously, it was only enabled for users under 18.
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Launched last year, the STEM feed is a designated hub for vetted science, technology, engineering, and math content. Since its launch, nearly 200 million videos have been uploaded to the feed. It also spurred an 18 percent increase in STEM-related content on the platform. One-third of teen users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland use the STEM feed on a weekly basis.
All videos on the STEM feed must be approved by Common Sense Networks and The Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Common Sense assesses a video’s age-appropriateness, and Poynter checks its reliability. Misinformation runs rampant on the platform — Newsguard recently found that AI-enhanced videos spreading election misinformation garnered over 380 million views — and the STEM feed provides a rare haven of vetted content.
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The STEM feed has been used to counter claims that the platform is damaging to teen mental health — despite overwhelming evidence of social media’s impact on teen mental health. In two U.S. congressional hearings, TikTok CEO Shou Chew pointed to the feed as an example of TikTok fostering a love of learning and science and math.
The STEM feed is one of several Topic Feeds available on the platform. These hubs serve as topic-specific alternatives to your FYP and Following feed. They’ve launched Sports, Food, Gaming, and Fashion feeds.
While the feed is now enabled for all users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland, you can turn it off in the app’s settings under “content preferences.”