Piper Rockelle, a 17-year-old influencer, has recently found herself at the center of a storm of controversy, following the release of the Netflix documentary series Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing. This three-part series, which premiered on April 9, 2025, delves into the often-hidden realities behind the lives of young influencers, particularly focusing on Rockelle and her mother, Tiffany Smith, whose management practices have raised serious ethical concerns.
Rockelle, who first gained fame through child beauty pageants, transitioned to YouTube at the age of nine, quickly amassing over 12 million subscribers. Her rise was significantly aided by her mother, who acted as her manager, orchestrating a group of young content creators known as The Squad. This collective included other popular figures like Sophie Fergi and Lev Cameron, who collaborated on videos filled with staged romantic scenarios and pranks designed to attract viewers.
However, the documentary paints a starkly different picture of Rockelle's world. It reveals allegations from former Squad members who claim they faced emotional and physical abuse, as well as sexual harassment, under Smith's management. In January 2022, eleven former Squad members filed a lawsuit against Smith, alleging severe mistreatment during the production of their videos. The lawsuit claimed the children, who were aged between 10 and 16, were subjected to long hours of work without breaks and received no compensation despite the group earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per month. The lawsuit was settled in October 2024 for $1.85 million, although Smith denied the allegations and filed a countersuit seeking $30 million.
Director Kief Davidson, who co-directed the documentary, stated, “Our goal in this was to expose the real human cost behind this glossy façade of internet fame.” He emphasized that Rockelle is a victim in this situation, a sentiment echoed by many families involved in the project. Davidson noted that the documentary aims to shine a light on the exploitation that can occur in the world of child influencers, calling for necessary changes to protect young creators.
In a statement to USA Today, Rockelle expressed her feelings about the allegations against her mother, describing them as “mean, untrue, and honestly all about money.” She stated, “My mom did not do any of those things that they said. And I’ll stand by my mom to the end.” Despite the turmoil, Rockelle continues to maintain a robust online presence, boasting nearly 33 million followers across social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. However, her YouTube channel was demonetized in 2022 following the legal troubles surrounding her mother.
The Squad, which began forming in 2018, was a rotating group of young creators who participated in a constant stream of videos that blurred the lines between genuine friendship and scripted content. As the documentary highlights, the environment within The Squad was often described as cult-like. Angela Sharbino, the mother of former member Sawyer Sharbino, claimed that Smith demanded complete loyalty from the children, penalizing dissent and ostracizing those who questioned her authority.
Many former Squad members have since distanced themselves from that era, launching new ventures in the digital space. For instance, Sophie Fergi co-hosts a podcast called Girl Talk, while Sawyer Sharbino continues to create content on YouTube. Gavin Magnus, another prominent former member, has pursued a career in music. Their experiences serve as a cautionary tale about the pressures faced by young influencers in the digital age.
In the wake of the documentary's release, Rockelle's statements reflect her struggle with the fallout from the allegations. She mentioned that her mental health has suffered due to the relentless scrutiny and accusations. “Honestly, I just want to move on from all of this because it’s really painful to deal with every day,” she stated.
The documentary also raises important questions about the accountability of platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram in regulating the treatment of young content creators. Despite attempts by the filmmakers to engage with these platforms for commentary, they received no response, highlighting a significant gap in protections for child influencers.
As the narrative unfolds throughout the three episodes of Bad Influence, it transitions from a light-hearted look at the lives of young influencers to a more serious examination of exploitation and the dangers of early internet fame. The series aims to provoke thought and discussion about the responsibilities of content creators, their families, and the platforms that host their work.
In a world where the allure of internet fame can overshadow the potential risks, the story of Piper Rockelle and The Squad serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of child stardom in the digital age. With the documentary now streaming on Netflix, audiences are encouraged to reflect on the implications of these revelations and consider the future of child influencers.
