Netflix's latest documentary series, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, delves deep into the controversial world of child influencers, focusing on the rise of 17-year-old Piper Rockelle and the alleged abuses perpetrated by her mother, Tiffany Smith. The three-part docuseries, which premiered on April 9, 2025, features testimonies from former child stars who participated in Piper's viral videos, claiming they endured emotional, physical, and sometimes sexual abuse at the hands of Smith.
Piper Rockelle, who gained fame through her YouTube channel, The Squad, began creating content at just eight years old. Her mother, Tiffany, often referred to as the "Madame of YouTube," played a pivotal role in orchestrating Piper's rise to stardom. Allegations surfaced that Tiffany profited from her daughter’s fame by selling used clothing items online, including bras and underwear, a claim she has vehemently denied.
The documentary reveals the darker side of child stardom. In January 2022, eleven teenagers filed a lawsuit against Tiffany Smith, alleging they were subjected to an emotionally and physically abusive environment during filming sessions for Piper's YouTube channel. The lawsuit claimed that the young influencers were often pushed to their limits in pursuit of viral content, with the plaintiffs describing their experiences as "emotionally, verbally, physically, and at times, sexually abusive." In October 2024, the lawsuit was settled for $1.85 million.
In the docuseries, former squad members recount the pressures they faced while filming. Sophie Fergi, one of the young influencers, shared her experience of filming up to 15 videos a day, stating, "We did not get a break at all." The relentless schedule left many feeling overwhelmed, with some former members alleging that Tiffany would encourage risky and humiliating pranks for the sake of entertainment. For instance, one shocking prank involved Piper pretending to break her leg and be carried away in a fake ambulance, while another involved a hired actor posing as a police officer, which left one child in tears.
Rockelle’s journey began in pageantry, and her mother’s ambition to make her daughter a star was evident from the start. Tiffany was often seen pushing Piper to excel, as shown in footage from the reality series Dance Twins. However, behind the scenes, the fun-filled videos masked a troubling reality. Many young participants reported feeling manipulated and exploited, with some, like Sawyer Sharbino, recalling instances where they were encouraged to be mean to one another for the sake of content.
As the series unfolds, it presents a stark contrast between the glamorous facade of child influencers and the grim realities they face. The documentary also highlights a disturbing statistic: 60% of content in the computers of individuals with a sexual interest in children originated from social media sites. This alarming figure raises questions about the safety and well-being of young influencers in an environment that prioritizes views and likes over their mental health.
In response to the allegations, Tiffany Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing. She described the accusations as "ridiculous" and suggested that financial motivations were behind the claims made by former collaborators. In a statement to the media, she said, "Obviously we didn’t do anything that was alleged, but sadly, money is a big motivator for certain personalities in this world. 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."
Piper Rockelle has also defended her mother, stating that the allegations are "mean, untrue, and honestly all about money." Despite the controversies, she remains active on social media, boasting over 14.7 million followers on TikTok and more than 12 million on YouTube. However, her YouTube channel was demonetized in 2022, shortly after the lawsuit was filed.
The docuseries does not shy away from discussing the broader implications of child influencers in today's digital landscape. Taylor Lorenz, author of Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet, notes in the series that child influencers lack the labor protections that traditional child entertainers have. This gap in protection raises critical questions about the ethics of allowing children to navigate the often perilous world of social media without adequate safeguards.
As the documentary progresses, it becomes clear that many former squad members still care for Piper despite their negative experiences with her mother. The emotional weight of their shared history is palpable, as they express their love for Piper while recounting the challenges they faced as part of the squad.
The documentary also touches on the broader trend of parental exploitation in the world of child influencers, echoing concerns raised by celebrities like Pink, who criticized the oversexualization of young influencers. In a tweet from 2021, Pink questioned, "How many kids like Piper Rockelle are being exploited by their parents?" These sentiments resonate throughout the docuseries, which aims to shed light on the blurred lines between parenting and exploitation in the age of social media.
As the world continues to grapple with the implications of kidfluencing, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing serves as a critical examination of a phenomenon that raises more questions than answers. With its compelling narratives and shocking revelations, the series invites viewers to reflect on the responsibilities of parents, the ethics of social media, and the well-being of child stars in an industry that often prioritizes profit over protection.
In a landscape where child influencers can earn six figures a month, the call for reform and better protections is more pressing than ever. As the docuseries suggests, it’s time to take a hard look at the realities of kidfluencing and ensure that the safety and mental health of young stars are prioritized above all else.
