When does 'Bad Influence' come out? Premiere date, trailer, episodes for docuseries
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Since its release, Netflix's 'Adolescence' has sparked widespread discussion, offering a chilling look at the impact of the internet and social media on children.
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The scandal surrounding the family of teen YouTube star Piper Rockelle are the focus of "Bad Influence," a new Netflix docuseries that explores the perils of child vlogging.
The three-part docuseries, which premieres this week, offers an inside look at the "disturbing stories of alleged exploitation, cult-like manipulation, and abuse" Rockelle's former costars endured at the hands of her "momager" Tiffany Smith, according to Netflix's Tudum.
Rockelle is a vlogger who rose to internet stardom by staging elaborate pranks, competing in absurd challenges, and making soapy 'crush content" with a group of aspiring child stars known as "The Squad" on YouTube.
Smith was accused of abuse and exploitation and was sued by nearly a dozen teenagers who were regularly featured on her daughter's YouTube channel in January 2022, NBC News reported. The parties reached a $1.85 million settlement agreement in October 2024.
"Through their stories, (Bad Influence) exposes the dark realities of social media fame and the fight to protect the next generation of creators from exploitation," according to Netflix.
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Here's what to know about new Netflix docuseries "Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing," including additional details about Piper Rockelle's mother, Tiffany Smith.
Who is Tiffany Smith?
Tiffany Smith is Piper Rockelle's mom and business manager. Smith and her boyfriend Hunter Hill helped Piper film and produce short-form content for YouTube and other social media platforms.
"As she continued to post online, Piper amassed millions of followers along with a lot of revenue — at one point, reportedly upwards of over half a million dollars per month — in the form of brand deals and other income streams," according to Tudum.
Smith began to invite a number of aspiring influencers to join her daughter in front of the camera. The rotating cast of tween friends Smith enlisted in 2018 to appear in her daughter's videos were known as "The Squad."
The group would create content together and promote each other's work on social media. Some of them even moved in with Smith and her daughter. The parents of some of the members of "The Squad" and even members of "The Squad" themselves eventually grew concerned about Smith's questionable behavior on and off camera, according to Tudum.
Eleven Squad members accused Smith of inappropriate behavior and later sued the momager as a result of physical and emotional injuries they endured from 'harassment, molestation, and abuse," NBC News reported. Some of the teens alleged that they were not compensated for their work, appearances and likeness.
The years-long case came to a close in October 2024 with a $1.85 million settlement agreement, according to NBC News.
YouTube demonetized Rockelle's channel in February 2022, which means neither Smith nor her daughter can make money from ads featured in videos. Rockelle, now 18, continues to post regularly on social media.
What is 'Bad Influence' about?
"Bad Influence" is a three-part docuseries that "explores the shadowy world of child influencers," specifically surrounding the abuse allegations made against Tiffany Smith, the mother of popular YouTube vlogger Piper Rockelle.
Here's what to know: What is the Natalia Grace Barnett case, the subject of Hulu show 'Good American Family?'
When does 'Bad Influence' premiere?
"Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing" premieres Wednesday, April 9 on Netflix.
Watch the 'Bad Influence' trailer
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