I see them as potential bridges for connecting young minds with each other to share ideas, knowledge, and opportunities.
In Sri Lanka, where the digital transformation of education is moving forward at an unprecedented pace, this potential has never been more urgent or more important.
In mid-September, I had the privilege of being part of the launch of TikTok’s STEM Feed in Sri Lanka, an occasion graced by Her Excellency, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, alongside senior government representatives.
The event underscored the importance of collaboration between global platforms and national education initiatives, and it was inspiring to witness Sri Lanka’s clear trajectory towards leveraging digital tools to empower learners and educators alike.
Being on that stage, seeing the commitment of the government and educators to the future of students, was a reminder of how meaningful partnerships can truly accelerate change.
At TikTok, we’ve been working to ensure that this potential is realized safely and responsibly.
The launch of the STEM Feed in Sri Lanka is one part of this effort.
For users aged thirteen years and above, the STEM feed offers a space to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content in ways that are engaging, accessible, and aligned with the country’s broader goals for digital education.
Already, millions of Sri Lankans use TikTok every day to create, share and find inspiration.
With the launch of the STEM Feed, we want to make learning part of that experience—delivered in the same formats that young people already know and enjoy.
But this is not just about a new feature; it’s about creating an environment where curiosity can flourish safely, where young people can engage with STEM content confidently, and where learning is both inspiring and protected.
The Role of Digital Platforms in STEM and Digital Learning
Unlike generations before us, today’s young learners experience information differently.
They no longer rely solely on textbooks, lectures, or one-way instruction.
They want to explore, experiment, and interact with knowledge in real time, often across multiple digital channels simultaneously.
This means they retain information differently too: through visual storytelling, interactive simulations, peer discussions, and hands-on challenges, rather than rote memorization.
Textbooks provide the foundation of structured knowledge, offering depth and rigour that are essential to learning.
Digital platforms, meanwhile, can complement this by adding a more dynamic and participatory dimension.
Through interactive and social formats, STEM concepts can be brought to life in ways that are not only understandable but genuinely exciting—helping learners connect knowledge with curiosity and creativity.
Platforms that host educational content, whether short-form videos, interactive posts, or collaborative communities, allow students to see concepts in action.
They can watch physics experiments being conducted safely at home, follow step-by-step coding tutorials, or observe real-world applications of mathematics and engineering.
It also inspires them to ask questions, propose solutions, and envision themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators.
This exposure nurtures curiosity, encourages experimentation, and provides models for critical thinking.
Beyond technical skills, digital platforms help students develop communication, collaboration, and digital literacy, skills that are increasingly vital in the 21st century.
Crucially, digital platforms can democratize access to education.
Students in urban centers often have abundant resources, but rural or remote learners face barriers.
Digital platforms have the potential to break down these barriers, providing equal opportunity for engagement with high-quality STEM content, global experts, and peer communities.
Learning becomes less about location and more about participation and curiosity.
It also fosters intergenerational dialogue: teachers, parents, and mentors can engage with young learners in new, interactive ways, complementing traditional classroom instruction.
At the same time, we must recognize the responsibility that comes with this opportunity.
Safe, structured, and age-appropriate engagement is essential.
Platforms must implement robust content guidelines, clear moderation policies, and accessible reporting mechanisms, alongside education for students on digital well-being.
When these safeguards are in place, digital platforms transform from a passive entertainment tool into a safe space for intellectual exploration, experimentation, and creativity.
TikTok’s Role in Safe Digital Education and Youth Empowerment
Building on the evolving ways young people access and engage with information, TikTok offers a platform that balances creativity, curiosity, and safety.
For users aged 13 years and above, this means access to a vast digital space that inspires STEM exploration while keeping protective measures firmly in place.
TikTok’s approach is multi-layered:
it combines advanced content moderation, age-appropriate policies, and partnerships with subject-matter experts to create an environment where learning, experimentation, and self-expression can thrive.
Every piece of STEM content undergoes strict verification processes to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.
Global and local creators are supported, guided, and assessed for credibility, and specialized organizations help review content to meet educational standards.
Dangerous experiments, politically sensitive material, or misinformation are filtered out, ensuring young learners are not exposed to harmful or misleading content.
These policies act as guardrails, allowing users the freedom to create and explore within a structured, secure framework.
Beyond content moderation, TikTok actively empowers youth to participate, innovate, and connect.
The platform’s format encourages short, digestible, and interactive videos that make STEM approachable and engaging.
Young users can experiment with coding tutorials, share robotics projects, or explore science phenomena in ways that complement classroom learning.
With the STEM Feed, we are not asking students to bring TikTok into their classrooms, we are taking education to wherever they are.
By making high-quality STEM content available on a platform young people already know and use, we can break through geographic and infrastructural barriers that often limit access to knowledge.
This approach creates new scopes for learning: intuitive, engaging and aligned with the way today’s generation naturally connects with information.
Far from being a distraction, the STEM Feed represents a bridge—bringing education directly into the digital spaces where curiosity already thrives.
Partnership & Future Vision
What excites me most about the launch of TikTok’s STEM Feed in Sri Lanka is the spirit of collaboration it represents.
When global platforms, educators, institutions, and the government work together, the impact grows exponentially.
TikTok’s role is clear: we are a supportive partner, helping to extend the reach of educators, inspire students, and complement Sri Lanka’s national digital transformation agenda.
The platform is not leading the reform; it is amplifying it, providing tools, visibility, and opportunities for young people to explore STEM in ways that are engaging, safe, and meaningful.
Through this initiative, we aim to spark curiosity and ambition in science, technology, engineering and mathematics—the disciplines that will shape Sri Lanka’s future and secure its place in the global digital economy.
By making high-quality educational content accessible in ways that are fun and relatable, we hope to complement formal education while encouraging peer-to-peer learning.
The STEM Feed is more than a feature.
It is a commitment to creating a safe environment where curiosity can flourish, where learners feel empowered, and where knowledge is shared as openly as creativity.
To the youth, educators, and stakeholders of Sri Lanka, the potential is immense, and the tools are ready, but their power depends on how we choose to use them.
TikTok is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging space, but it is the curiosity, creativity, and determination of young people that will bring this vision to life.
Together, with thoughtful government leadership, dedicated educators, and an inspired youth, we can build a generation that is digitally fluent, empowered to innovate, solve problems, and shape a future that is bright, inclusive, and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.