Middle schoolers have begun using NPR's podcast comment sections on Spotify as a social hangout, prompting concern from NPR staff who initially mistook their activity for bots. A Gen Z colleague at NPR quickly identified the trend and helped the organization understand what was happening.
Background
NPR has long relied on its podcast audience for engagement, with comments on platforms like Spotify becoming an unexpected community space. This reflects a broader trend of younger users repurposing unexpected online spaces for social interaction.
- Source
- TechCrunch
- Published
- Sep 26, 2026 at 04:33 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10