Doing things online is now such second nature — whether banking, dating or working — that it’s easy not to notice it, just as scrolling TikTok or the social platform X has become a knee-jerk response to moments of boredom or social awkwardness.

But the internet’s integral, and always evolving, role in our culture is worth paying attention to.

These five podcasts offer perspectives on online life, exploring the latest memes and TikTok trends, the changing nature of celebrity in the social media age and the predatory industry that exists around influencers.

‘ICYMI’: This twice-weekly series from Slate features wide-ranging conversations about what’s trending in every corner of the internet — or, to quote its mission statement, conversations that “gaze deep into the online abyss, and tell you what’s gazing back.”

Until recently, the show was co-hosted by Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim. (Hampton departed in June, with no replacement yet announced.) The affable duo gamely mined the depths of such platforms as Tumblr and fan-fiction haven Archive of Our Own for inspiration. Recent subjects have included the questionable ethics of the “therapist influencer,” the bizarre rise of artificial intelligence obituary scams on Google, and how the spicy tennis drama “Challengers” briefly consumed the internet.

Starter episode: “The Internet History of Ayo Edebiri”

‘Who? Weekly’: Along with redefining just about every aspect of modern life, the rise of smartphones and social media has transformed celebrity culture, giving rise to a new subgenre of public figure who previously would have had no access to exposure. In their long-running podcast, writers Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber define this species as “Whos,” in contrast to the A-list “Thems” we all recognize, and deliver “everything you need to know about the celebrities you don’t.”

The fuzziness of the Who definition is part of the fun, but a few common themes have emerged over the show’s eight-year run: Notes app apologies are a Who red flag, as is shilling products through social media “sponsored content.” Snarky and incisive without being mean-spirited, each episode of “Who? Weekly” has Finger and Weber breaking down the “who-iest” news and antics from the week, serving as good-natured guides through the surreal and chaotic world of influencers, YouTube stars and D-listers.

Starter episode: “Beabadoobee, Monica Barbaro & Maika Monroe?”

‘This Blew Up’: The potential paths to online fame are varied and mysterious; while some influencers spend years gradually building up a loyal following, others find stardom with a single post. This compelling six-part series from The Ringer focuses on an example of the latter and uses it to explore the pitfalls of social media fame.

In 2018, Leslie Golden was scraping by as a pole dancer in San Antonio, until an encounter with “the Hugh Hefner of the social media set” catapulted her to viral popularity and an extravagant lifestyle she had barely dreamed of. Journalist Alyssa Bereznak digs into the dark side of this modern-day Cinderella story, exploring the unregulated industry that has sprung up around influencers in Los Angeles, the opportunists who exploit their hunger for fame, and the emotional cost of turning your life into content.

Starter episode: “The Glow Up”

‘Never Post’: This thoughtfully crafted series, which began in January, offers wry and insightful analysis of the online world, hosted by writer and producer Mike Rugnetta. Each episode consists of a series of segments, presented by Rugnetta and his cast of fellow producers: First, there are bite-size news updates covering the latest platform rollouts and tech developments, followed by two reported segments that are always compelling. In past episodes, you can hear a linguist’s take on why “influencer voice” exists, a tongue-in-cheek discussion about “posting disease” (when people simply can’t log off even when they really should), and an exploration of why dating apps are objectively getting worse.

“Never Post” is a distinctly different listening experience from most tech-focused talk shows, featuring atmospheric layers of sound design that interweave aural reporting, a musical score and interstitial clips from online videos. This approach doesn’t end up feeling chaotic or overwhelming, thanks to the show’s measured style and the steady hand of Rugnetta and his fellow producers.

Starter episode: “To BRB or Not to BRB”

‘Reply All’: For eight years, Gimlet Media, now defunct, produced this beloved series, which delivered human stories about the internet with warmth and a light touch. Anchored by the amiable rapport between the two hosts, Alex Goldman and PJ Vogt, “Reply All” took listeners down all kinds of rabbit holes. Some were surreal: In the episode “The Takeover,” an Australian teenager sets out to create the most boring role-playing game imaginable. Others were wildly ambitious: In the two-part epic “Long Distance,” Goldman travels to India to unmask a telephone-scam ring.

Alongside the reported stories were recurring segments, such as “Yes Yes No,” during which the hosts educated each other on opaque online trends; and “Super Tech Support,” during which listeners called in for guidance with idiosyncratic tech problems. Although the show’s legacy will be tarnished for many by its ugly 2021 downfall, it arguably remains the definitive podcast about online life.

Starter episode: “The Case of the Missing Hit”