On Wednesday, TikTok announced that its STEM feed will now be available by default to all users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland. Previously, the feed was automatically enabled only for users under the age of 18. This expansion aims to make educational content more accessible across age groups.
While the STEM feed is automatically turned on, users can opt out by navigating to the “content preferences” in their app settings.
Addressing Criticism with STEM Content
The introduction of the STEM feed comes in response to ongoing criticism from lawmakers and rights groups who argue that TikTok’s design encourages excessive screen time, especially among teens. The platform has been under scrutiny for its potential impact on mental health, and the STEM feed has been part of TikTok’s strategy to counter these concerns. TikTok CEO Shou Chew highlighted the importance of the feed during U.S. congressional hearings in March 2023 and January 2024.
Broadening STEM Content to Improve User Well-being
By expanding the STEM feed to adults, TikTok seeks to shift its platform’s perception from purely entertainment-focused to one that promotes co-learning, inspiration, and enrichment. The company aims to foster a more productive user experience, combatting the “doomscrolling” habit by showcasing educational content by default.
Since the initial rollout of the STEM feed, TikTok reports an 18% increase in STEM-related content, with videos in the feed amassing over 200 million views. To enhance accessibility, TikTok is planning to add local language support for STEM content in the future, catering to a broader audience and further promoting education on its platform.
