Netflix Docuseries Exposes Alleged Abuse in Child Influencer Industry

'Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing' premieres with shocking allegations against Piper Rockelle's mother and manager, Tiffany Smith.

The three-part Netflix docuseries, 'Bad Influence,' debuted on April 9, 2025, investigating allegations of exploitation in the child influencer world.
The series focuses on Piper Rockelle, a teen YouTube star managed by her mother, Tiffany Smith, who allegedly abused and exploited child performers featured in her content.
Eleven former members of 'The Squad,' a group of child influencers in Rockelle's videos, filed a lawsuit in 2022 alleging emotional, physical, and potential sexual abuse, as well as child labor violations.
The lawsuit was settled in October 2024 for $1.85 million, though Smith and her boyfriend Hunter Hill denied all allegations and admitted no liability.
The documentary raises broader questions about the ethics of monetizing childhood online and the lack of regulatory oversight in the growing child influencer industry.