On April 9th, Netflix released a highly anticipated documentary titled Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, which has already ignited major conversations both online and in local communities. The documentary shines a light on the dark realities behind child influencer culture, focusing on the story of Piper Rockelle and the content group known as “The Squad.”
Piper Rockelle rose to fame on YouTube during the late 2010s, amassing millions of subscribers through skits, challenges, and vlogs aimed at younger audiences. However, Bad Influence reveals troubling allegations behind the scenes, including a lawsuit filed in January 2022 against Piper’s mother, Tiffany Rockelle. The lawsuit, initiated by parents of several minors involved in Rockelle’s content, accuses Tiffany of subjecting children on set to verbal, physical, and even sexual abuse. According to the documentary and legal claims, the minors were often required to film 10 to 15 videos per day—each lasting up to 20 minutes—sometimes staying up as late as 3:00 a.m.
The documentary has sparked mixed reactions due to its sensitive content and ongoing circumstances. One of the central controversies is that Piper Rockelle, now 17, is still legally under the guardianship of her mother, Tiffany Rockelle. Some viewers feel that the documentary may have put Piper at further risk by exposing details while she remains in her mother’s custody. Others believe the film has given a long-overdue voice to the children involved, validating their experiences and raising awareness about the dangers of child influencer culture.
Students at Hillcrest High School have also reacted strongly to the release. Freshman Ann White shared her thoughts: “I never watched Piper’s videos as a kid, but I really feel like they should have waited until December, when Piper turns 18. It just doesn’t feel right to release this while she’s still in that environment.”
Another freshman, Mackenzie Tate, who was a longtime viewer of Piper’s content, added: “I watched Piper’s videos all the time growing up, and I always kind of felt like something was off. The kids looked exhausted or uncomfortable sometimes, but I didn’t understand why until now.”
Bad Influence has clearly struck a nerve, not only for those who grew up watching kidfluencers like Piper Rockelle, but also for young people beginning to recognize the ethical complexities of online fame. As more former child influencers come forward with their stories, the conversation about internet safety, labor laws for minors, and parental responsibility in digital spaces continues to evolve.
For many, especially at Hillcrest, the documentary serves as a wake-up call—reminding us that behind every curated YouTube thumbnail or polished Instagram post, there might be a reality far more troubling than we imagined.
