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Netflix Docuseries 'Bad Influence' Reignites Focus on Child Influencer Exploitation

The series examines Piper Rockelle's rise to fame, allegations of abuse by her mother Tiffany Smith, and the broader challenges facing young content creators.

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Overview

  • Netflix's new docuseries 'Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing,' now streaming, explores allegations of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse against Tiffany Smith, mother and manager of YouTube star Piper Rockelle.
  • The series revisits a 2022 lawsuit filed by 11 former members of 'The Squad,' Rockelle's content group, which resulted in a $1.85 million settlement in 2024, with Smith denying all wrongdoing.
  • Former Squad members recount long filming hours, manipulative behavior, and unpaid contributions to content that reportedly generated significant revenue.
  • Despite YouTube demonetizing her channel in 2022, Rockelle, now 17, continues to maintain a strong social media presence with millions of followers across platforms.
  • The docuseries has reignited discussions about the lack of labor protections for child influencers and the need for regulatory reforms in the digital media landscape.