Netflix has released the official trailer for Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, a three-part docuseries delving into the murky underbelly of the booming kidfluencer industry. Trailer above and info below.
It’s a culture that many have watched unfold in real time — children becoming online stars with millions of followers and brand deals, their lives playing out in front of the camera for all to see. One of the most recognizable names in this space is Piper Rockelle. The 17-year-old social media influencer, who began her career at the age of eight, rose to fame as the face of The Squad, a group of young content creators producing prank videos, crush confessions, and day-in-the-life clips that racked up billions of views. Behind the fun and games, however, there’s a darker story that’s now coming to light.
Directed by Jenna Rosher and Kief Davidson (The Devil Next Door, Bending the Arc), Bad Influence explores the allegations of exploitation and abuse that emerged from within Piper’s world. At the center of the controversy is Piper’s mother, Tiffany Smith, who managed her daughter’s career and led the group of kidfluencers. As the docuseries outlines, a number of former Squad members and their families claim they were manipulated, mistreated, and pushed into toxic situations — allegations that resulted in a lawsuit filed in January 2022 by eleven former Squad members. Tiffany Smith has denied the claims.
The trailer teases interviews with several of Piper’s former collaborators, offering insight into their experiences and what life was like behind the viral videos. There’s a focus on how vulnerable children are in this unregulated space, with few legal protections in place to shield them from harm. It’s an issue that extends beyond just one group of influencers, as more children step into the role of online entertainers.
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing premieres on Netflix on April 9th.
