TikTok has recently announced a new feature where users can watch short videos about math, computer science, science, and technology topics. The platform intends to include the new view button next to the “Following” and “For You” feeds. Once users press the button, they can scroll through short videos covering scientific or technical topics in full-screen mode.
Before being published, the videos on this new feed must pass two moderation levels through external service providers. TikTok plans to release this feature in the US market in the coming weeks. However, when asked if the view will be available in Germany, a spokeswoman responded that at the moment, TikTok is focusing on making the STEM/MINT feed available to US users.
According to a recent TikTok blog post, tech and science videos gain popularity on the platform, whereby hashtags connected to STEM topics reach over 110 billion views. TikTok has faced criticism for using moderation to pursue political goals and censoring content. The platform is also known for failing to ensure proper moderator protection and minor safety measures. The European Union has even accused the company of this.
This recent update is an extension for feeds that filter TikTok by a specific topic. Social networks attempt to reach more specific target groups through views that show special and exclusive content. With this new feature, TikTok aims to provide valuable content while moderating it to the highest standards.
