Netflix's new docuseries, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, casts a spotlight on Tiffany Smith and her daughter, Piper Rockelle, amid serious allegations of emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. The three-part series, which debuted on April 9, 2025, explores the troubling dynamics within the child influencer community, particularly focusing on the 'Squad' that Smith created around her daughter.
According to the documentary, Tiffany Smith, who first gained notoriety by entering her daughter into pageants, began forming the Squad when Piper was just 11 years old. With the help of Hunter Hill, who produced content for the group, Smith allegedly expanded Piper's circle of young performers to capitalize on their collective social media appeal. However, former Squad members have come forward with claims that they were subjected to long working hours without proper compensation, inadequate breaks, and even inappropriate touching.
In the docuseries, former Squad member Sophie Fergi detailed the grueling work schedule, stating, "We were filming 10, 15 videos a day," often starting at 11 a.m. and working until 1 or 2 a.m. She recounted the exhaustion of going to bed for only two to three hours before waking up to attend to schoolwork and film again. Fergi, who left the Squad in 2020, later filed a lawsuit against Smith, alleging inappropriate behavior.
Other former members, including Sawyer Sharbino and Symmone Harrison, have also alleged mistreatment under Tiffany's direction. Sharbino, who left in 2021, expressed in the documentary that the Squad environment was toxic, stating, "It definitely keeps you there for as long as it can" due to fear of losing friends and views. Symmone claimed she was often excluded from group activities on Smith's orders to create drama for the videos.
Tiffany Smith has categorically denied all allegations, asserting that she was never a formal employer of the Squad members and that the accusations are driven by jealousy and financial motivations. In a statement to E! News on April 10, she described the situation as the "most painful chapter" of their lives, emphasizing the toll it has taken on her daughter, Piper. "After everything she’s already endured, she’s now being exploited by Netflix under the guise of 'protecting' kids," Smith said.
Piper Rockelle, now 17 and with over 12 million subscribers on YouTube, has also defended her mother. In a post to her 6.1 million Instagram followers, she called the accusations "mean, untrue, and honestly all about money," vowing to "stand by" her mother. This support comes amid the backdrop of a $22 million lawsuit that Smith faces from former Squad members, alleging various forms of abuse.
As the docuseries unfolds, it reveals the complex reality of child influencers navigating fame and the pressures of social media. The Squad, initially formed for fun and creativity, has become a focal point for discussions about the ethical implications of child labor in the influencer industry. The children involved often found themselves in a high-stakes environment, where friendships and careers were intertwined with public scrutiny and personal safety.
The allegations against Smith have sparked conversations about the responsibilities of parents and guardians in the influencer space. The documentary suggests that many of the parents of Squad members were complicit in pushing their children into the spotlight, with Smith claiming that the accusers were "stage moms pushing their kids into the spotlight." She asserted that the parents initially had no issues until they perceived that her daughter's YouTube channel was earning more than their own.
In 2022, a group of 11 former Squad members and their parents filed a lawsuit against Smith, alleging harassment, failure to compensate, and interference with their individual YouTube channels. The case was settled in 2024 for $1.85 million, with Smith denying any wrongdoing and stating that the claims were unfounded. She maintained that an investigation by the LA Department of Children and Family Services found no wrongdoing on her part.
The docuseries has drawn attention not only for its content but also for the broader implications it raises about the safety and well-being of child influencers. The creator economy, valued at approximately $250 billion, has attracted many young aspiring stars, but the darker side of this industry is now being examined more closely.
In light of the allegations and the scrutiny that has followed, experts have called for legislative changes to protect child influencers. Some states, like California and Utah, have begun implementing laws requiring kids to have Coogan Accounts, which safeguard a portion of their earnings for when they reach adulthood. However, the question remains: how can parents effectively navigate the complexities of raising child influencers while ensuring their safety and well-being?
The challenges faced by the Squad and their parents highlight a pressing need for reform in the influencer industry. Co-director Kief Davidson noted that while the documentary aims to shed light on these issues, it also serves as a warning to parents about the potential dangers that exist in the pursuit of online fame.
As the fallout from the docuseries continues, both Tiffany Smith and Piper Rockelle have expressed a desire to move on. Smith stated, "We made the decision to put this behind us because, honestly, prolonged litigation would be even more harmful and painful to everyone involved — which includes kids." Meanwhile, Piper has shared her struggles with mental health amid the ongoing scrutiny, saying, "Honestly, I just want to move on from all of this because it’s really painful to deal with every day." The future remains uncertain for both mother and daughter as they navigate the repercussions of their past in the public eye.
