Top Comment

After roughly 78,000 migrants made the journey from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a matter of hours at the end of July, reporters across the world were quick to identify the role of social media. Capitalising on misinformation about a Spanish Supreme Court ruling, millions of posts appeared over several weeks portraying the territory as a viable path to a new life in Europe. On this episode of Top Comment we take a det...

The manosphere is just the tip of the iceberg - that's the premise of a new report, shared exclusively with Top Comment, about the so-called male grievance industry. Its author, Kristina Wilfore, has spent years investigating state information warfare, a playbook she says is now being followed by influencers weaponising economic anxiety, body dysmorphia, and political disenfranchisement. We've also been given access to brand new da...

From chasing pickpockets to unmasking predators, vigilantism has become one of the biggest trends on social media. On this episode Matt and Marianna discuss how the age of streaming has added a new layer of risk to content like this, with the potential for devastating consequences including reputational damage and even legal repercussions.

Also this week, as national media fangirls over Andy Burnham's TikTok persona, we ask what the...

Manosphere kingpin Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were arrested in the US over the weekend after British authorities announced dozens of new charges against the pair, including rape and sex trafficking, which they deny. On this episode, we unpack the allegations being made against the influencers, and what it could mean for those associated with them. Matt, who has reported extensively on the Tate empire, describes the social ...

You may already think crypto is overexposed online, but is what we're experiencing just the tip of the iceberg? On this episode, Matt talks about his new BBC documentary in which he meets some of the tech billionaires who believe blockchain can be used to transform the fabric of society. From micronations to corporate monarchies, we outline their radical vision for the future.

Also this week, why psychologists are worried about the...

Marianna is joined by guest host Rachel Connolly to journey into the lives of femcels, tradwives, and so-called loneliness influencers. As the merits of social isolation are preached on our feeds, why has solo-maxxing gone from a cheap Gen Z life hack to a dedicated philosophy for many users? How is the femosphere shifting conversations around gender dynamics and heteropessimism? And what does the tradwife trend tell us about the p...

One year on from the BBC's investigation into the death of 23-year-old Paloma Shemirani - and two years since it happened - this episode of Top Comment explores what the case tells us about the dangers of medical misinformation.

Last June, Marianna revealed how Paloma’s brothers blamed their mother - the prominent anti-medicine conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani - for Paloma’s decision to reject chemotherapy. She de...

After achieving 7% of the vote in last week's Makerfield by-election, the social-led strategy of emerging right-wing party Restore Britain has come under the spotlight. Various anecdotal reports have concluded that their relative success feels disproportionate to their presence on the ground, but their growing prominence online is inarguable - leader Rupert Lowe has over 2m followers across X and Facebook, and Elon Musk has repeate...

The BookTok community has erupted after creator AllieRoseCo announced she had trademarked merchandise featuring the phrase 'Hot Girls Read'. User backlash was instantaneous, with many accusing her of attacking small businesses and even betraying her own followers. On this episode, Marianna explains why BookTok is such an influential marketing demographic on TikTok, and what this controversy tells us about the fragility of influence...

After a second night of rioting in Belfast, social media companies are being accused of playing a role in creating disorder. Technology secretary Liz Kendall has said an update to the Online Safety Act will be brought to parliament next week, putting greater pressure on platforms to remove content which seeks to incite violence. On this episode, we explain why X is receiving particular scrutiny, and how its integrated AI chatbot Gr...

When Twitch streamer Hasan Piker was denied entry into the UK this week, it rekindled a conversation around the Home Office's approach to free speech. From Kanye West to Valentina Gomez, the list of prominent names who have seen their travel plans derailed in recent months is growing, with commentators across the political spectrum accusing the government of overreaching. Piker, whose highly critical stance on Israel has led to dis...

An inquest is set to open on Friday into the deaths of three sisters whose bodies were recovered from the sea off the coast of Brighton. The case has led to rampant speculation online, particularly after it emerged that a widely shared image provided by family members appeared to be AI-generated. From unfounded conspiracies about serial killers, to a broader debate over the handling of cases involving black people, it has captivate...

The US tech giant Palantir holds contracts with some of the most influential entities in the world, from government departments and pharmaceutical companies to military contractors and banking powerhouses. Funding links to the CIA, misconceptions about how it operates, and broader concerns surrounding the use of private data, have all led to a significant protest movement online at the firm's increasing integration into major insti...

On this bonus interview episode, Matt and Marianna are joined in the studio by leading social media journalist Taylor Lorenz. They discuss the evolution of meme culture, Clavicular's enduring virality, and why Elon Musk briefly kicked her off X. Plus, as the list of countries seeking stricter regulation of social media grows, why is Taylor so resistant to the legislation being proposed in the UK and US, and what are the alternative...

Foreign-based social media accounts are masquerading as patriotic Brits lamenting the UK's 'decline'. These profiles, which use AI to amplify anti-immigrant rhetoric, are being viewed and shared by vast audiences who are often unaware of the content's origin. The BBC has seen evidence that dozens of those posting from Eastern Europe to South Asia are coordinating their activity through group chats, with some even claiming to be in ...

Launched last year, the website Dare Market describes itself as "the platform where you can dare anyone to do almost anything for real cash bounties". On this episode, Marianna speaks to Isla Rose Perfito, the founder of the site inviting comparisons to Black Mirror. From the individuals putting themselves at risk for financial gain, to brands sponsoring increasingly outlandish challenges, we ask whether her vision of a flouri...

Following an apparent assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday night, dozens of high-profile conservative accounts posted almost identical reactions on X. On this episode, Matt and Marianna explain why some people think these posts are coordinated, and debunk false claims the event itself was staged.

Also this week, why are conspiracy theories surrounding the tick-borne infection Lyme d...

For this bonus episode, Matt and Marianna are joined by producer Laurie on stage at Castfest - a live event at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios. They discuss why we're making Top Comment, the challenges of reporting on fast-moving internet culture stories, and some highlights from previous episodes.

Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The te...

Haley Beck - the sister of influencer Noah Beck - has denied wrongdoing after police recommended she be charged over allegations she cultivated a sexual relationship with a student in Arizona. The case is receiving outsized attention on TikTok, from testimonies by the teacher's former students, to those dissecting the thousands of messages she exchanged with the alleged victim. As details from a police report dubbed the 'Becks...