In other news…
Sep 10 2026
- So, about that Delia’s “collab” at Target…
- Instagram’s new feature lets users add tagged photos to their main profile feed
- Gen Z’s briny snack obsession has entered…the concert venue?
“Repayment avoidance” is becoming normalized among Gen Z and Millennials. A Zelle report found that among 1K Gen Z consumers who’ve fronted money for a group expense, 76% said they weren’t fully repaid, and 55% said repayment issues created tension or hurt a relationship. Nearly half have gone into debt covering group costs, and among those who owe friends or family money, 46% currently owe more than $1K. The avoidance itself has become routine, too: 32% admit to delaying paying someone back, while 20% have canceled plans or muted a group chat specifically to dodge payment. A financial therapist who works with Zelle says the frustration isn’t really about the dollar amount, though—it’s about what nonpayment communicates about trust and respect in the friendship. For young consumers already navigating financial anxiety, unresolved Venmo debts are increasingly reshaping who they’ll travel or split costs with at all. (The Cut)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Fintech report
Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. The sport has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years, especially on the high school level. In 2025, around 102K high school girls participated—a roughly 538% increase from 2001. In the last year alone, the number of schools reporting girls flag football participation has increased 46%. But popularity is growing among younger players as well: around 500K 6-17-year-old girls play on organized flag football teams in the U.S., and the number of 6-12-year-old girls playing flag increased 238% between 2015 and 2024. The sport will make its Olympic debut in 2028, which could spur even more of a boom. YPulse data shows that while the majority of tween girls do participate in sports, they’re less likely than boys to play on an organized team. Flag football could give them another path in: a reported 50% of girls participating have never played a sport before. (Morning Brew)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Tweens: Sports and Athletes report
Airbnb is letting Sterling Point fans get a taste of the cottage life. Starting September 15, the platform is booking out the Muskoka property featured in the hit Prime Video show for three limited stays this October. Guests will have private access to the cottage and its dock, where fans can recreate their own, Annie Jacobson-style fantasies. (Hopefully, this time with a little less drama.) The getaway follows Airbnb’s previous bookable pop culture experiences—like those inspired by Hannah Montana and UP—while layering on the TV fandom moment Muskoka is having right now. After all, the region also doubled as Heated Rivalry’s cottage setting (another location that was up for rent on Airbnb earlier this year). And the on-screen exposure seems to be translating to real-world interest. Airbnb reports searches for stays in the region from travelers outside Canada for check-ins through November have nearly doubled year-over-year, while searches including Canadian travelers are up more than 30%. (Variety)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Sterling Point is Gen Z’s latest teen-drama obsession on the Viral List
Is Gen Z’s next party trend a “wellness darty”? A “darty,” short for day party, is a norm for college—but a fraternity at the University of Florida is turning them into a wellness and dating event with a group run, cold plunge, and protein bars, all sans alcohol. A TikTok of the event captioned, “A little bit of wellness in college won’t hurt anyone” has pulled in 2.6M views, and the virality reflects a bigger shift in party culture. Gen Z is putting wellness, not alcohol, at the center of their socialization. Eventbrite data shows morning raves, coffee clubbing, and sauna / ice bath events have grown notably as Gen Z shifts from nightlife to daytime social activities. Commenters on the viral post are pointing out the differences in today’s party culture compared to Millennials’ binge-drinking norm—though not all positive, like one who wrote, “This generation is so boring.” But some students say it’s not a hard one-or-the-other choice, and hosts say it gives this gen a choice to feel good while they meet new people somewhere other than the bars. (USA Today)
👀 Read more from YPulse: 10 Viral Wellness Trends Gen Z is Actually Interested in
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