TikTok is expanding its dedicated STEM feed to Europe, starting in the U.K. and Ireland, in an effort to promote educational content on its app. The feed will automatically appear for users under 18 and can be enabled by users over 18, featuring English-speaking content with auto-translate subtitles. The company is also expanding partnerships to assess the content for appropriateness and reliability. This move comes as TikTok faces scrutiny over harmful content and addictive design practices, with the European Union investigating whether the app has breached online safety rules. TikTok aims to position itself as an educational hub for young users to counter criticisms from lawmakers worldwide.
Psychologist Dr. Claire Christensen argues that the blanket rule of limiting screen time for kids is more harmful than helpful, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between "good" and "bad" screen time. She suggests that educational content and shows that encourage social interaction and creative play can be beneficial for children's development. Christensen advises parents to release guilt, be proactive in planning screen time, ask open-ended questions, and encourage kids' connections to specific characters to make the most of screen time.
The Federal Reserve Board has launched Instagram and Threads accounts in an effort to make Board news and educational content more accessible and available to the public. The Instagram account will feature photos, videos, FAQs, and economic education content, while the Threads account will include press releases, speeches, testimony, and reports. The Board's website will remain its primary communication channel, with selected announcements shared on Instagram and Threads after being posted on the website. This launch expands the Board's information-sharing platforms to a total of seven, including X, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and LinkedIn.
