TikTok has received a lot of criticism over the last year for the kind of content that its younger users can be exposed to by its recommendation algorithm in topics from eating disorders and suicide to disinformation and misogynist ex-kickboxer manbabies.
What can TikTok do to push back on this? One example was announced yesterday: a new ‘STEM feed’ of content relating to science, technology, engineering and maths.
“Whether encouraging aspiring scientists to work out experiments in comments sections or helping a new programmer learn to code, the STEM feed provides a space for co-learning, inspiration, and enrichment,” promised the company, which has enlisted Common Sense Networks and Poynter to ensure the feed is appropriate and accurate.
It’s an interesting sign that TikTok globally might be looking to become a bit more like its Chinese version Douyin, where this kind of wholesome, educational content – strongly encouraged by the Chinese authorities, which have cracked down on what they see as unhealthy social-media usage by children – is very much to the fore.
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