TikTok has announced the expansion of its channel dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Europe, starting in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The initiative follows the launch of the channel in the US last year.
The TikTok STEM channel will automatically start appearing on the accounts of users under the age of 18 with “For You” and “Following” sections. Users over the age of 18 can turn on the STEM channel through the “Content Preferences” in the app, which includes content in English with self-translated subtitles.
Since its launch in the US, the STEM channel has seen significant growth, with 33% of users opting in and a third of teenagers visiting weekly. The platform has seen a 24% increase in STEM-related content since the channel's launch. Over the past three years, nearly 15 million STEM-related videos have been published globally on the app. According to Techcrunch.
To ensure content quality and relevance, TikTok is expanding its collaboration with Common Sense Networks and Poynter, which will evaluate all content on the STEM channel. Common Sense Networks will review the content and ensure it is appropriate for the channel Poynter will assess the credibility of the information. Content that does not pass these assessments will not be eligible for the STEM Channel.
The move comes at a time when TikTok has faced criticism for showing harmful content to children and teenagers, with rights groups accusing the app of using addictive design practices to lure users as far as possible.
In February, the European Union announced it was investigating whether TikTok violated the Digital Services Act, which includes rules to ensure the safety of online users. The commission is investigating whether the app does enough to prevent minors from being exposed to inappropriate content and whether its design choices encourage addiction.
