Op-Ed: This TikTok Feature Actually Makes You Smarter
by McKenzie Bowers - Public School teacher
For years, critics have accused tech of "rotting young minds." But in an unexpected twist, TikTok has quietly rolled out a feature that's doing the opposite: making kids smarter.
The STEM Feed, introduced in 2023, is designed to expose users—particularly young ones—to engaging content on science, technology, engineering, and math. It's a bold and frankly surprising move from a platform often blamed for shortening attention spans. And yet, it might just be one of the most effective digital education tools in recent memory.
What Is the STEM Feed?
TikTok launched the STEM Feed as a separate content stream within the app, dedicated entirely to educational videos on topics like physics, chemistry, coding, space exploration, and engineering. Think of it as a social media-based version of a Discovery Channel or a TED Talk series, but curated for the short-form video era.
The feature was developed as part of TikTok's ongoing efforts to address concerns about its impact on young users. With increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators over children's online safety and content exposure, TikTok had to prove it could be more than just a viral dance machine. The STEM Feed is one of its most promising answers to that challenge.
Unlike the usual TikTok experience, which relies on an unpredictable algorithm to determine what a user sees, the STEM Feed sets a different default: if you enter it, you're guaranteed to find substantive, knowledge-rich content. The videos featured in this section are vetted by independent third-party organizations—Common Sense Networks and Poynter Institute—to ensure accuracy and age-appropriateness.
Why This Matters
There's plenty of skepticism about social media's role in education, and for good reason. While platforms like YouTube have long been used as informal learning tools, the risk of misinformation and algorithmic rabbit holes has been a major concern. TikTok's decision to vet STEM content is a game-changer because it acknowledges that, in a world overflowing with information, curation matters as much as content itself.
By ensuring that videos in the STEM Feed meet educational standards, TikTok is taking responsibility in a way few other platforms have. Instead of leaving kids to sift through a mix of good and bad information, it's offering a pre-filtered stream of high-quality learning material.
This is crucial for today's students, many of whom already use social media as a primary source of news and knowledge. A recent survey from Common Sense Media found that over 50% of teens use YouTube for learning new skills. TikTok's STEM Feed taps into that demand while eliminating much of the noise and misinformation that plagues other corners of the internet.
How It's Helping Kids Learn
One of the most compelling aspects of the STEM Feed is its format. Traditional classroom learning isn't always effective at sparking curiosity, but TikTok's short-form, visually engaging videos can make complex topics more accessible. A high school student struggling with calculus might find a 60-second video explaining derivatives in a way that finally clicks. A middle schooler interested in space could stumble upon a clip about black holes that ignites a lifelong passion for astrophysics.
And it's working! 33% of the US community engages with the STEM feed, and the STEM content has increased by 24% already.
Teachers and parents have noted that students are engaging with STEM topics outside of school, often bringing insights from TikTok into their homework and class discussions. And because the STEM Feed is seamlessly integrated into an app that millions already use, it's reaching kids where they are—without requiring extra effort from schools or parents.
Turning Prime Digital Real Estate into a Classroom
TikTok is doing something few other social media platforms have dared: giving some of the most valuable real estate on the internet to education. For users under 18, the STEM Feed isn't just an optional feature—it's a default tab, meaning young users are automatically exposed to science, technology, engineering, and math content as part of their TikTok experience.
This is a significant shift in how educational material is distributed online. Instead of competing for attention in a sea of entertainment, STEM content is placed front and center, ensuring that millions of kids encounter intellectually enriching material every time they open the app.
By making the STEM Feed a default rather than an opt-in feature, TikTok is leveraging its massive reach to promote learning in a way that no traditional educational platform could. Unlike a textbook or a classroom lecture, STEM content on TikTok is seamlessly integrated into an app that young people already use daily. This means that even those who might never seek out science or tech content on their own are still being introduced to concepts that could spark their curiosity and open doors to future careers in STEM fields.
A Model for the Future?
TikTok's STEM Feed represents a shift in how social media platforms can contribute to education. Instead of simply relying on algorithms to surface interesting content, it's an acknowledgment that intentional design can guide users toward better outcomes.
The STEM Feed is proof that platforms can be designed to encourage learning. As TikTok works to make educational content as addictive as viral dance trends, it sets a precedent for other tech companies. Imagine if Instagram, YouTube, or Snapchat followed suit with their own dedicated, high-quality learning feeds. The potential for digital platforms to become true educational tools—rather than just entertainment machines—is enormous.
TikTok's STEM Feed is an encouraging step in the right direction. It's a reminder that technology itself isn't the problem—it's how we choose to use it. And in this case, one of the world's most popular apps is proving that social media can actually make us smarter.
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