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Season 1 – Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing

Play trailer 2:11 Poster for Season 1 – Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing Apr 2025 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Piper Rockelle is a massively popular YouTuber who rose to internet stardom staging elaborate pranks, competing in absurd challenges, and making soapy “crush content" with her Squad of carefully cast “friends.” Bad Influence goes behind the glitz and glamor to reveal Piper’s former Squad mates' harrowing stories of exploitation, cult-like manipulation, and abuse at the hands of Piper’s momager, Tiffany Smith. Through their stories, this three-part documentary series exposes the dark realities of social media fame and the fight to protect the next generation of creators from exploitation.
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Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Amber Dowling Globe and Mail May 1
In the end, the doc is as much an examination of what happened to the Squad when the cameras weren’t rolling as it is a call to action. Go to Full Review
Dan Einav Financial Times Apr 17
3/5
While the series judiciously steers clear of sensationalism, there’s something also inherently uneasy about the fact that a documentary about the exploitation of children is built on teens sharing their still-fresh traumas on screen. Go to Full Review
Jessica Winter The New Yorker Apr 11
The documentary underscores the cultlike aspects of the Piper Rockelle experience, and maybe the cultlike properties of the entertainment industry writ large. Go to Full Review
Fernanda Camargo Common Sense Media Apr 16
This uncomfortable, emotional, and often raw look into the world of child influencers is a thought-provoking entry in the fight for change and regulation. Go to Full Review
Joel Keller Decider Apr 14
While being a bit one-sided, Bad Influence: The Dark Side Of Kidfluencing is still an interesting look at the dodgy world of kidfluencers. Go to Full Review
Carla Hay Culture Mix Apr 12
This documentary series serves as an effective warning about child exploitation and abuse in unregulated areas of social media. However, there needed to be more accountability from the parents and companies that make money from this mistreatment of kids. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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SkyRo P @TheMovieSearch May 13 "Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing" is a three-part documentary that premiered on Netflix in 2025, exploring the often troubling world of child influencers across various social media platforms. The documentary presents a compelling look at the experiences of several young influencers, revealing the emotional and psychological toll that their online presence can take. It highlights issues such as bullying and harassment, showcasing the intense scrutiny and pressure these children face from individuals eager to insert themselves into their lives. Additionally, the series sheds light on the role of parents, some of whom may inadvertently push their children into the influencer lifestyle, neglecting their kids' true desires in the process. It raises important questions about self-discovery and the impact of parental expectations. Overall, it's a worthwhile watch that provides valuable insights into the effects of social media on young lives. While I wouldn't say it left me exhilarated or overly impressed, it effectively captures the complexities of kidfluencing. I recommend it, particularly for parents of teenagers, as it's essential viewing for anyone looking to understand this modern phenomenon. See more Ali A. Apr 16 These shows glorify the rainbow squad like they can’t do anything wrong, it’s the whole reason why the main girl ended up the way she did. Hypocritical people raising kids only ends one way. See more Rene M Apr 16 I'm dissapointed with the parents and how it felt like it was all about money even right at the end when they won the lawsuit and gained more money. This has not got a great ending or a care for what is really going on with piper. As if there was a different angle taking place more action could have occurred for eg get a case worker out to assess pipers environment and her mother etc the abuse is being ignored 🙁 does anyone else also feel like this document was similar to that story evil lies here ? Still sickens me that small logic doesn't go along way these days. See more Chad W Apr 15 Couldn't keep watching once Taylor Lorenz came on See more wonderment100 @Wonderment Apr 14 It's great that these documentaries exist, as they help us all become more aware. See more Leaburn O Apr 12 As with all Betflix series, bad stuff happens over three episodes that could be shown on one episode. Bloated. Just watch the final episode. Saw it on Netflix. See more Read all reviews
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 9, 2025 #momager Tiffany Smith turns her preteen daughter into a YouTube star alongside a group of child influencers called the Squad; but what's the price of viral fame? Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 9, 2025 #crush As Piper and the Squad get more famous than ever, parents grow alarmed by Tiffany's inappropriate behavior and troubling attention from adults. Details Episode 3 Aired Apr 9, 2025 #unfollow After Tiffany lashes out at kids who escape the Squad, a bombshell lawsuit sparks an FBI investigation; what will it take to protect child influencers? Details
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Season Info

Creator
Kief Davidson
Executive Producer
Nile Cappello, Kief Davidson
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 9, 2025
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