SEAToday.com, Jakarta - TikTok Indonesia has introduced a new educational channel, STEM, aimed at users under 18 years old to provide easier access to educational content.

The channel, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), features curated content from both local and international creators. 

It was introduced last week and will be gradually rolled out in the coming weeks. The launch has been met with enthusiasm, particularly from parents and students. 

Ayu (36), a mother of a five-year-old child in Tangerang Selatan, expressed her hopes for age-appropriate learning materials.

"I hope this new TikTok channel offers educational content for early reading and math that suits my child's age," she said, as quoted on Antara, on Thursday (3/13).

Ayu allows her child about one hour per day on social media, primarily for watching curated cartoon and game content. She hopes the STEM channel will provide more learning opportunities beyond entertainment.

Meanwhile, Zahra, a 16-year-old high school student from Bandung, is excited about the feature as it will help her grasp difficult subjects.

"I'll be looking for content on topics I struggle with in class, like math. I’m also interested in book recommendations," she shared as quoted on Antara.

The STEM channel will automatically activate for registered users under 18, while older users can enable it manually. It will be accessible from the top-left corner of the main TikTok page.

TikTok stated that this initiative aligns with Indonesia’s efforts to enhance digital talent development. The Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, welcomed the move.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas

"I am optimistic that TikTok’s STEM channel will equip young Indonesians with scientific and technological knowledge, boost national competitiveness, and support the government's goal of producing 9 million digital talents by 2030," she said in an official statement as quoted on Antara.

With 135 million monthly users in Indonesia, TikTok is not just a hub for entertainment but also a growing platform for education. Educational content remains one of the most popular categories, with over 24 million posts tagged under educational themes.

Several local content creators have gained traction in the educational space, including Andrea Novita, who shares insights on food technology innovations, and Melan Achmad (79), a grandfather known for his engaging math tutorials.