The comics actively played up the comparison for the duration of their run. The backs of the TPs often make reference to it. "Stranger Things for Feminists." "The perfect gift for your fan of Stranger Things." etc.

I don't think normal people care about this as much as people seem to think they care.

are about it being a copy of stranger things

Yes. Well. That's a silly thing to complain about.

I've never actually seen anyone go in depth into how Paper Girls is a copy of Stranger Things. I think it's because people realize the premise is old enough to be posting "Phone Bad" memes on Facebook and ultimately they are just arguing that Stranger Things has a copyright on an aesthetic.