The Netflix documentary Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing is a serious and disturbing look at the world of child influencers—kids who become famous on social media platforms like YouTube. It focuses on the story of Piper Rockelle, a young girl who became a popular online star, and her mother Tiffany Smith, who managed her career. This three-part series shows us the dark side of what can happen when children are pushed into internet fame.
The Meaning Behind the Title
The title of the show itself is powerful. It asks us to think: can there be a good side to making children famous online? Many parents today post videos of their kids, hoping to gain views, likes, and even money. But this documentary shows that behind the smiling faces and fun videos, there can be a lot of pain, pressure, and even abuse.
In 2025, many people think this is normal. Social media is a big part of life. Kids grow up watching YouTube and TikTok and want to be stars too. But this documentary reminds us to stop and think—just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s safe or right.
Piper Rockelle’s Rise to Fame
The story begins with Piper Rockelle’s entry into child beauty pageants, a world where children compete by dressing up, performing, and being judged on their looks and talent. From there, Piper’s mother, Tiffany Smith, moved her career to YouTube, where videos could reach millions.
To grow Piper’s channel, Smith began including other children in the videos. These kids became known as “the Squad.” The videos were directed by Smith and filmed by her much younger boyfriend, Hunter Hill. At the height of her fame, Piper was making over $500,000 a month. The Squad became a brand, with millions of young fans watching their every move.
But while things looked fun and exciting online, something much darker was happening behind the scenes.
The Shocking Lawsuit
In 2022, things changed. Eleven former Squad members filed a lawsuit against Tiffany Smith and Hunter Hill. They said they were mistreated and exposed to disturbing situations. The lawsuit claimed that they were forced to work long hours, were not protected under child labor laws, and were subjected to emotional and verbal abuse.
One shocking story came from a girl named Corinne. She said she went with Smith to a post office when she was about 12 or 13 years old. Smith was mailing a package that appeared to contain Piper’s underwear. When Corinne asked why, Smith reportedly said, “Old men like to smell it.” This kind of story shows just how serious and disturbing the situation may have been. Smith and Hill have denied all the accusations. The lawsuit was settled in 2023, but no one admitted guilt.
Interviews and Real Stories
The documentary includes interviews with former Squad members and their families. Most of these young people are still in their teens. They talk about how their lives changed when they joined the Squad. Many stopped going to school and spent all their time making videos. Some say they were confused, scared, and didn’t understand what they were being asked to do.
Parents of the Squad members also speak in the film. Some of them say they were slowly pushed out. They were told not to attend filming sessions. Over time, they felt powerless to protect their children. Some even say the whole group began to feel like a cult, where Tiffany Smith controlled everything and everyone.
One of the most painful parts of the documentary is how unclear the laws are when it comes to kids working online. Because filming happened at home, not on a movie set, labor laws didn’t always apply. It was hard to tell what counted as fun, and what counted as work.
The Bigger Problem of Online Child Fame
This documentary also highlights a much bigger problem: online safety for children. A study mentioned in the show found that 60% of harmful content found on predators’ computers came from social media. Another study showed that 92% of viewers watching teen girl influencers were adult men. That means a lot of children are being watched by people with bad intentions—and many parents don’t even realize it.
Even if there are no crimes, this raises a big question: should children be famous online at all? Are we protecting them, or are we putting them in danger for likes and money?
Bad Influence Budget (2025)
The Netflix film Bad Influence, based on the Wattpad novel Mala influencia by Teensspirit, is a Spanish series released on March 27, 2025. It shows how a group of friends gets caught up in the dark side of online fame. The film had a big budget of $205 million.
Final Thoughts and Missing Questions
Bad Influence is a powerful documentary. It forces us to look at a world we often ignore—the dark, risky world of child influencers. It shows how dreams of fame can turn into nightmares.
However, the documentary could have gone further. One question that isn’t fully explored is why so many parents allowed their kids to stay in that environment for so long. It’s clear that Smith was controlling and possibly dangerous, but where were the boundaries? Should more parents have stepped in sooner?
A Must-Watch with a Clear Message
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing is not an easy show to watch, but it’s an important one. It shows us the hidden dangers behind what may seem like innocent YouTube fun. It makes us ask hard questions about parenting, online safety, and the future of childhood in a digital world.
This documentary is a warning. It tells us to be careful, to protect children, and to think twice before turning kids into content. Fame and money should never come before safety and well-being.
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