TikTok will offer a tech and science news feed for English-speakers originally based in the US.
TikTok has a large scientific community and the social network wants everyone to know about it. What better way than to take advantage of Pi Day, March 14, yesterday to launch a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) news feed? You will find more tutorial videos in this topic. There you could even learn how to code or discuss this or that experience, without drowning in the usual TikTok entertainment videos.
TikTok will offer a news feed dedicated to technology and science
Not surprisingly, TikTok has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of misinformation in this new section. The Common Sense Networks Curator will review the content to ensure it is appropriate for this STEM thread, and the Poynter Fact Checkers will evaluate its accuracy. Any video that does not pass these two checks will not be displayed in this section.
According to TikTok, users residing in the United States should start seeing this STEM feed in the “coming weeks.” The social media giant has already started testing a “dedicated feed”for various interests – video games, sports and more – in some countries. This science and technology focused theme is a continuation of that initiative.
For native English speakers originally residing in the US
This launch is not a surprise. Governments and schools are concerned that TikTok could do children and teens more harm than good, so much so that schools have decided to sue the company for causing mental health problems in young people. According to TikTok, a dedicated STEM thread will create a positive space for “cooperative learning, inspiration, and personal enrichment.” And it would also be potentially lucrative, as TikTok says STEM-related hashtags have already racked up over 110 billion views.
Whether this will help keep TikTok in the US is another matter entirely. Some politicians are campaigning for an outright ban on TikTok due to concerns for the country’s security. They are concerned that China may be collecting sensitive data on Americans or engaging in propaganda. Show CEO Zi Chu is due to speak to a parliamentary committee on privacy, safety and youth protection next week. The STEM News Feed is not intended to dispel these concerns, but it is, so to speak, another step towards a virtuous circle.