Netflix is diving deep into the often-overlooked world of kid influencers with a new documentary titled Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidinfluencing, set to release on April 9, 2025. At the center of this eye-opening film is social media star Piper Rockelle, whose rise to fame as a child has sparked both admiration and concern.
Piper started her online journey at just 8 years old and quickly became a sensation. With help from her mom, Tiffany Smith, and her mom’s partner, Hunter Hill, she created short, entertaining videos that blew up across platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Long before that, Piper was already active in the entertainment world, taking on roles in scripted and unscripted shows, according to Netflix’s Tudum.
But behind the cute videos and viral dances, the documentary promises to explore a much darker reality—allegations of abuse and exploitation involving Piper’s mother. The film doesn’t just tell Piper’s story; it also aims to shine a light on the troubling side of child influencers and how the pressures of internet fame can take a toll, especially when adults in charge may not have the child’s best interests at heart.
As Piper’s fame grew, so did her income. Like many young influencers, she began earning shocking amounts of money from brand deals and ad revenue. By 2018, she was producing content alongside a group of tween creators known as The Squad. They regularly collaborated and promoted each other, creating a kind of influencer bubble that drew in millions of viewers.
In a twist that raised more than a few eyebrows, some of The Squad actually moved in with Piper and her mom to help pump out more content. While everything seemed fine on camera, things were allegedly much different behind the scenes. According to the documentary, some parents of the other children began distancing themselves because of concerns over Tiffany’s behavior and the way she managed the kids.
This Netflix documentary is set to pull back the curtain on the glossy, picture-perfect world of kid influencers—and expose the harsh realities lurking underneath. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Piper Rockelle or just curious about the influencer industry, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidinfluencing promises to be a powerful and possibly unsettling watch.
