{"podcast":{"title":"Top Comment","slug":"top-comment-6410349","podcast_index_feed_id":6410349,"rss_url":"https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/m001mssm.rss","website_url":"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mssm","image_url":"http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/3000x3000/p0n20jj8.jpg","author":"BBC","episode_count":89,"summary":"The story behind your social media feed, from BBC correspondent Marianna Spring and investigative journalist Matt Shea. Top Comment investigates what's blowing up online. From global events that go viral across social media, to bizarre moments that spill into real life, Marianna and Matt unpack the trends, theories and digital chaos shaping our world. If you want to get in touch about something you saw when scrolling, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. You can also hear Marianna's previous series for the BBC in this feed, including Marianna in Conspiracyland, Why Do You Hate Me?, Disaster Trolls, Death by Conspiracy? and War on Truth.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-16T14:17:09.310471+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-comment-6410349"},"episode":{"title":"Meta, YouTube, and a damning addiction verdict","slug":"meta-youtube-and-a-damning-addiction-verdict","published_at":"2026-03-27T18:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-comment-6410349/meta-youtube-and-a-damning-addiction-verdict","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-comment-6410349","url":"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0n9749f","audio_url":"http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/6/redir/version/2.0/mediaset/audio-nondrm-download-rss/proto/http/vpid/p0n972zs.mp3","summary":"After a California jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction case, we explain why the platforms you use may soon be unrecognisable. Plus - an exclusive interview with an expert witness from the trial, the world-leading addiction psychiatrist Anna Lembke, about how tech companies used persuasive design techniques found in gambling to keep us hooked online. Also on this episode, after Instagram and OnlyFans removed the accounts of the so-called 'Maga dream girl', Matt and Marianna discuss the world of AI influencers. As an increasing number of virtual creators amass millions of followers, is this becoming a medium for political propaganda? And do regular users care if they are real or not? Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Apply for tickets to Castfest here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026 If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.","meta_description":"After a California jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction case, we explain why the platforms you use may soon be unrecogn…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1765,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/top-comment-6410349/episodes/meta-youtube-and-a-damning-addiction-verdict/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/top-comment-6410349/meta-youtube-and-a-damning-addiction-verdict.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}