2 weeks Ago
Netflix's Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing is a haunting but compelling dive into the world behind child influencer stardom. Bad Influence is about YouTube star Piper Rockelle and her co-stars, ‘The Squad’. It includes the details of the child abuse case filed against mother-manager Tiffany Smith and its aftermath.
The three-part docu-series is directed by Kief Davidson and Jenna Rosher. The lives of all teen influencers have been captured through on-camera interviews and court context. The series constructs an uncomfortable picture of the gray areas between entertainment, manipulation, and abuse.
At the center of the Netflix show is the relationship between Rockelle and her mother-manager, Tiffany Smith. From early success in local beauty pageants to creating a digital empire, Smith advanced Rockelle to fame. Smith also roped in teens of family and friends to make regular appearances on the show.
This group of teens, which consisted of 11 members was later became popular as ‘The Squad’. Rockelle's channel racked up millions of subscribers. The YouTube channel of Rockelle reportedly earned over US$500,000 a month at its peak.
The channel featured viral pranks, complicated challenges, and romantic storylines. However, as it started garnering attention, the criticism also grew. In 2022, 11 ex-Squad members sued Smith and her boyfriend, Hunter Hill, for child labor abuse .
A hostile environment with continuous inappropriate conduct was also cited in the accusations. The allegations further included sexually suggestive remarks. There were claims that Smith sent adult men packages of Rockelle's underwear for money.
The lawsuit ended in a US$1.85 million settlement in 2024, with no admission of wrongdoing by Smith. Ex-members such as Sophie Fergi and Claire RockSmith narrated heart-wrenching accounts of their experience with ‘The Squad’.
Endless working hours, manipulative behaviors, and emotional turmoil were usual. Fergi stated her involvement in Netflix’s Bad Influence was motivated by a wish to empower others. She wanted to highlight the abuse that usually hides behind content creation .
The documentary also poses deep ethical questions. Lacking child labor legislation for digital platforms means underage content creators remain exposed. According to a study, followers of teen girl influencers consist of 92% of adult men.
It also highlights that 60% of child sexual abuse material on offenders' devices comes from social media rather than illegal websites. Although widely praised, the series is not without its critics. Some argue the narrative leans too heavily on former Squad members without offering Rockelle or Smith a platform to respond.
Both declined to participate, and Smith has since called the documentary a "false narrative." Rockelle has hinted at telling her side, suggesting a fuller story remains untold. Although Bad Influence critiques Smith without restraint, it arguably glosses over the absence of other parents and guardians.
The constant parental oversight raises concerns regarding complicity, neglect, and trust placed in digital fame. Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing is a chilling story that takes viewers behind the scenes of YouTube and TikTok fame. It is a warning and a wake-up call to regulators, parents, and viewers alike.
By exposing the shadowy ethics of profiting from children, the series raises question on what people are willing to pay for clicks?.
