What is STEM Feed on TikTok? How safe is it for teens?
On Tuesday, TikTok made the announcement that, in honor of Pi Day, it would be launching a brand-new feed devoted to STEM-related content. The goal of the feed, which will be displayed alongside the "Following" and "For You" feeds of the app, is to provide users with a dedicated area in which they can watch videos about science, technology, engineering, and math.
The STEM feed was created by TikTok for users who want to learn more about these subjects.
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What is STEM Feed?
The launch builds on TikTok's ongoing experiment with topic feeds, which are currently available in a select number of markets. Users can explore content from gaming, food, fashion, sports, and more through topic feeds. You can see content for each category by swiping between the feeds without having to specifically search for it. STEM is now included on TikTok's list of topics.
TikTok users can use the hashtags #STEM and related hashtags to find billions of STEM-related videos. However, just like any other hashtag, the results for #STEM and related hashtags include any video with a STEM hashtag in the description. Regardless of whether the video is actually about STEM topics or is factually accurate, TikTok creators can include a hashtag related to STEM in any video.
How safe is it for teens?
STEM-focused content aimed at younger audiences could reverse the trend and encourage more teens to concentrate on their studies rather than aspiring to be social media influencers. This is significant, taking into account that just 20% of content makers acquire decent wages.
Additionally, in an effort to prevent users from developing an addiction to social media, Douyin sets a daily limit of 40 minutes for younger audiences. Users of TikTok have access to time-limiting features, but they can be turned off.
According to TikTok, a STEM feed fosters "co-learning, inspiration, and enrichment." TikTok claims that STEM-related hashtags have received over 110 billion views thus far, making them potentially profitable and creating a positive environment for kids.
