TikTok Expands Its Commitment to Educational Content and Launches Its Specialized STEM Channel in Europe, Starting with the UK and Ireland
TikTok is expanding its commitment to educational content by launching its specialized STEM channel, initially introduced in the USA, now also in Europe, starting with the United Kingdom and Ireland. This move comes amid increased pressure on the platform in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The STEM channel, focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, will automatically be shown to users under 18 and can be enabled by older users in the "Content Settings". Since its launch in the USA, TikTok has seen a 24% increase in STEM-related content and nearly 15 million STEM videos worldwide.
To ensure the quality and appropriateness of the content on the STEM channel, TikTok is partnering with Common Sense Networks and the Poynter Institute. These partnerships aim to review content for its suitability for young users and the reliability of the information. Content that is not qualified will be excluded from the STEM channel.
The introduction of the STEM channel is part of TikTok's efforts to position itself as an educational platform and to address criticism that the platform offers harmful content to children and adolescents. The European Union is currently investigating whether TikTok is violating the rules of the Digital Services Act, which includes regulations for user protection online.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew has already highlighted the STEM channel in response to accusations that the platform is harmful to young users, and emphasized the educational initiative at two hearings before the US Congress in March 2023 and January 2024. With the expansion of the STEM channel to Europe, TikTok reaffirms its commitment to being an educational hub for millions of young users while simultaneously addressing global regulatory concerns.
