GoKawiilKids repurpose NPR podcast comment sections as makeshift group chats
NPR staff discovered that middle schoolers were using the Spotify comment section under an episode of its Wild Card podcast to chat with friends, initially mistaking the flurry of cryptic, emoji-laden posts for bot spam. This American Life host Ira Glass investigated the phenomenon, learning that kids sought out podcasts with few existing comments specifically to use as a private-feeling space. NPR says a similar pattern occurred previously on an episode of Ted Radio Hour.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The episode illustrates how young people, often barred from mainstream social apps, find inventive workarounds to stay in touch with friends using whatever digital tools are available. It also suggests platforms may need to rethink moderation, since content that looks like spam or bot activity could instead reflect genuine, if unconventional, human use.
- Middle schoolers used a Spotify podcast comment section as a group chat.
- NPR staff initially mistook the coded, emoji-heavy messages for bot activity.
- A similar workaround previously appeared under an episode of Ted Radio Hour.
Source: theverge.com — Terrence O'Brien, 2026-09-26
Published there as: “Kids turned the comment section of an NPR podcast into a group chat”
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