Everyone knows it for funny dances and pranks and trends that millions partake in. However, in an attempt to add a little more intellect to the app and explore other topics, there is now a STEM feed section on TikTok. Confused about what it is? Don’t worry, we can explain.
It’s not exactly new, but it is a new feature in 2023. Possibly a little forgotten due to all the drama surrounding TikTok being banned, a new feed is showing slightly different content than most are used to.
If you’ve not seen it and don’t know why, or are just baffled by what the STEM category is, then we’ll take you through it.
What Does STEM Mean?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The acronym is usually used in an academic or career context, discussing statistics about how many have jobs or study in those fields.
In the last decade or so, there has been lots of conversation around women in STEM and the number of students choosing degrees in those fields.
These are often grouped together because of the intellect and skill associated with the subjects and how they often go hand in hand with each other. STEM has a lot to do with scientific, medicinal and technological advances, heavily intertwined with research.
The STEM Feed Launches On TikTok
Launched on Pi Day 2023, the feed appears alongside the usual Following and For You section. The aim is to give users a dedicated space to explore all things STEM from TikTok creators, research updates and news stories.
The feed is part of a new initiative from the popular social media app to introduce topic pages. The aim is to separate content so that users can find videos in categories they’re interested in easily.
Currently, the TikTok STEM feed is only for users in the US, and even then some users haven’t been able to access it. Other topics have been launched around the world in select places.
Categories will include gaming, fashion, food and sport, quite similar to how Lemon8 works.
The company says that the STEM hashtag already has over 110 billion views, so it’s clearly incredibly popular.
“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.”
Users React To The New Feature
When TikTok first launched the STEM section, they said it would be rolled out over the next few weeks. Now, it seems that many users in the US are getting the feature in the last few days and it’s gone viral.
Lots of people think it’s pretty neat and will help lots of people find new interests.
Others are a little affronted and use the app for escapism, not education.
To them we say, just don’t go onto the feed. The regular For You page is still there for everyone to enjoy.
Many are finding the situation a little funny and what it may or may not accidentally imply…
Despite the awkward implications, they’ll definitely be some interesting videos to watch on the TikTok STEM section.
Whether it sticks around is another question entirely. For now, let’s just hope it helps someone find a new passion.