TIKTOK LAUNCH IN-APP PROGRAMME #SUMMERSKILLS WITH BIG NAMES FROM WORLD OF SPORTS, SCIENCE AND MORE
- New research commissioned by TikTok reveals that 9 in 10 British parents (87%) get stressed when planning their teenager’s summer holidays… but also shows a similar number of teenagers (87%) are engaging with educational content on TikTok
- That’s why TikTok has created #SummerSkills: an, in-app programme designed to support British parents and empower teens to learn, connect, and express themselves creatively throughout the summer break
- The #SummerSkills initiative reflects TikTok’s broader mission to foster learning through creativity and connection, and is launching in partnership with Lioness Millie Bright OBE, the RSC, scientist Big Manny and many more
TikTok has unveiled #SummerSkills: an in-app programme designed to support British parents this summer, where famous faces will be teaching useful skills to teenagers throughout the holidays.
The launch follows new research which reveals the stresses parents are under during the school break. Close to half (47%) struggle to find ways to keep their teenagers entertained and engaged over the holidays, but perhaps don’t realise that a solution is already at their disposal.
The same research shows that 88% of British teens already turn to TikTok for educational content, just under half (44%) use TikTok to discover new interests, and 40% are using TikTok to find how-to tutorials such as learning a sports skill.
That’s why TikTok developed the #SummerSkills programme. It is designed to alleviate some of the stresses parents feel by providing teens with a free and engaging way to learn new skills with their favourite creators, on a platform they are now regularly using for learning content, then trying it out in real life.
With over 1.3 million videos under the #STEM hashtag, 60 million under #BookTok, and more than 567,000 under #songwriting, TikTok is fast becoming a space where learning feels creative and fun.
The #SummerSkills Programme will run across the full five-weeks of the ENGLISH school holidays, inspiring creativity, discovery and skill-building.
From mastering trick-shots with Chelsea FC Women’s captain Millie Bright, to mastering the written word with @ChloeCarterwith2rs, teens can explore new skills and passions across five themed weeks by heading to #SummerSkills and #LearnOnTikTok in the app – where they can discover something new on their feed, then try it out in real life.
Each week features a standout line-up of creators and engaging TikTok LIVEs, including:
Sports Week, with @milliebright04, OBE, Chelsea FC Women’s captain and England international, beginning Wednesday, 23 July, who will be taking teens through the Do’s and Don’ts of defending 1v1 including tips on technique to help your team succeed, as well as footballing self-care recovery to keep yourself match fit. Sports Week also features TikTok LIVE with @RisingBallers.
STEM Week, with @big.manny1, author, science content creator and bio-med graduate, beginning Monday 4 August, who will demo how to test the pH of products at home including beverages and cosmetic products using only a red cabbage and some hot water. STEM week also features a TikTok LIVE with Particle physicist at CERN @particleclara.
Literature Week, with @chloecarterrwith2rs, spoken-word poet, beginning Monday 11 August, who is going to talk teens through how to write a poem to their future self and perfect their spoken word poetry skills. Literature Week also features @theRSC who will be hosted a hands-on creative skills workshop and TikTok live for teens at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, where ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ is currently playing.
Music Week, beginning Monday 18 August, artists will inspire young people to become songwriters
Well-being Week, with @fahima.therapy, therapist and well-being advocate, beginning Monday 25 August, who will teach teens to name and regulate their emotions using an emotion wheel, as well as how to self-sooth using their senses.
Sports Week kicked off with a special football masterclass in London led by Lioness legend Millie Bright, who helped teens build confidence, stay active, and develop football skills like speed and agility, passing and control and dribbling and shooting.Having risen through grassroots football to captain her country, Millie also shared the importance of resilience, teamwork and continuous learning.
Millie Bright OBE, Chelsea FC Women’s captain and Englandinternational said: “I’m delighted to have joined the TikTok #SummerSkills programme to inspire teens to learn new football skills over the Summer holidays.
“Anybody can learn a new skill as long as they are curious, so grab your friends and family, and challenge them to try something different – you might just surprise yourself.”
Throughout the campaign, TikTok remains committed to helping teens develop healthy digital habits and explore safely. All accounts for users under 18 have a default 60-minute daily screen time limit, and new tools, such as an in-app meditation feature, help encourage winding down after 10pm.
These measures are part of TikTok’s broader efforts to prioritise teen well-being, ensuring young users can confidently turn their positive online inspiration into real-world action.
Dominic Burns, TikTok’s Head of Operations, UK, Ireland and Nordics, said: “We know that TikTok is a place where teens come to discover and learn, particularly through our dedicated STEM feed and communities like #BookTok and #LearnonTikTok.
“We’re thrilled to bring the TikTok #SummerSkills programme to parents and teens to help them learn new skills together during the holidays, from football tricks to songwriting, poetry to science experiments, TikTok creators will bring these skills to life each week throughout the summer.
“This initiative complements our ongoing work to provide parents with tools and resources through our Family Pairing feature to ensure teens have a positive experience on our platform.”
#SummerSkills offers teens a creative and supportive space to make the most of their summer, while giving parents an easy, trusted way to add value to screen time.
Whether you’re looking to try something new or level up a skill you already love, here’s how to take part in #SummerSkills:
Search #SummerSkills or #LearnOnTikTok on TikTok to explore the latest videos
Follow @TikTok_UKto discover new skills each week
Join a #SummerSkills TikTok LIVE and learn a new skill with your favourite creator
Share your favourite #SummerSkills and help to inspire others along the way