Netflix's new ‘Bad Influence' docuseries chronicles Piper Rockelle's story to expose dark side of child vlogging
Centred on YouTube star Piper Rockelle and her mother Tiffany Smith, the three-part series explores allegations of exploitation, manipulation, and abuse within the world of online fame.
The series delves into the rise and fallout of Rockelle's popular YouTube channel, which gained massive traction through prank videos, relationship-themed content, and group challenges featuring a rotating cast of young aspiring influencers known as 'The Squad.' At the height of its popularity, the channel generated significant revenue—reportedly over $500,000 per month.
Behind the scenes, however, disturbing allegations surfaced. Tiffany Smith, Rockelle's mother and manager, was accused by multiple former Squad members of physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and exploitation. Eleven individuals, many of whom were minors at the time, filed a lawsuit in January 2022, claiming Smith had subjected them to inappropriate behaviour and failed to compensate them for their appearances on the channel.
After a years-long legal battle, the case was settled in October 2024 for $1.85 million. In the wake of the scandal, YouTube demonetised Rockelle's channel in February 2022, stripping the family of its ad revenue.
Bad Influence features firsthand accounts from the affected teens and their families, offering a rare glimpse into the pressures and consequences of child stardom in the digital age.
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing premieres globally on Netflix on April 9.
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