For millions of young fans, Piper Rockelle’s world seemed like a dream—endless pranks, glamorous sleepovers, and a tight-knit friend group known as The Squad. But behind the carefully curated YouTube videos and viral TikToks, former members allege a disturbing reality of exploitation, manipulation, and emotional abuse.
Netflix’s upcoming docuseries, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing (premiering April 9, 2025), investigates the rise and fall of Piper Rockelle’s online empire—and the shocking allegations against her mother and manager, Tiffany Smith.
From Child Star to Controversial Kidfluencer
Piper Rockelle, now 17, began her career at just 8 years old, first as a dancer and actress before transitioning into social media stardom. Under her mother’s guidance, Piper’s YouTube channel exploded, amassing millions of followers and reportedly earning over $500,000 per month at its peak.
But her success didn’t come alone—it was built on the backs of The Squad, a rotating group of young influencers who appeared in her videos. What started as fun, lighthearted content soon spiraled into accusations of coercion, emotional abuse, and even alleged sexual misconduct behind the scenes.
The Squad: A Manufactured Friend Group?
The Squad included popular teen influencers like:
- Sophie Fergi (now a solo creator with 10M+ followers)
- Gavin Magnus (former boyfriend of Piper)
- Sawyer Sharbino (child actor from Fear the Walking Dead)
- Symonne Harrison (who later spoke out against Tiffany)
At first, the group’s dynamic seemed like the ultimate friend squad—pranks, challenges, and scripted romances for views. But as Bad Influence reveals, parents of Squad members began noticing red flags:
- Tiffany allegedly controlled the kids’ social media accounts, dictating their posts and interactions.
- Some Squad members moved into Piper’s house, leading to an intense, almost cult-like environment.
- Those who questioned Tiffany were allegedly kicked out of The Squad, cutting them off from millions of followers—and income.
The Lawsuit That Exposed Everything
In January 2022, 11 former Squad members and their families filed a lawsuit against Tiffany Smith, accusing her of:
- Emotional and psychological manipulation
- Creating an unsafe, exploitative work environment
- Alleged inappropriate behavior (though specifics remain under legal dispute)
Tiffany has publicly denied all allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless.” But the docuseries features never-before-heard testimonies from former Squad kids and parents, detailing what they claim really happened behind closed doors.
“It Felt Like a Cult” – Former Squad Member Speaks Out
One anonymous interviewee in Bad Influence describes the dynamic:
“Tiffany had complete control. If she didn’t like something you did, she’d cut you off. We were told what to say, how to act, even who to date for views.”
Another parent alleges:
“My child was worked to exhaustion. They’d film for 12 hours straight, no breaks. When I complained, my kid was suddenly ‘not a good fit’ for The Squad anymore.”
The Fallout: Where Are They Now?
Since the lawsuit, Piper’s online presence has shifted—she now focuses more on solo content, though her follower count remains in the millions. Meanwhile, former Squad members like Sophie Fergi and Gavin Magnus have built their own brands, distancing themselves from the drama.
But the scars remain. As one former Squad member admits in the documentary:
“I don’t regret the friends I made, but I regret how we were used. We were kids—we didn’t realize what was really happening.”
Why This Documentary Matters
Bad Influence isn’t just about Piper Rockelle—it’s a cautionary tale about the unregulated world of kidfluencers, where young stars are monetized, manipulated, and sometimes discarded when they’re no longer profitable.
With no labor laws protecting child influencers, the docuseries raises urgent questions:
- Should parents be allowed to profit off their kids’ online fame?
- How much is too much when it comes to child content creation?
- Will this lead to stricter regulations for underage social media stars?
Final Thoughts: A Reckoning for Kidfluencer Culture?
As Bad Influence prepares to premiere, the conversation around child exploitation in social media is heating up. Piper Rockelle’s story may be the most publicized, but it’s far from the only one.
Will this documentary spark real change? Or will the cycle continue with the next generation of kidfluencers?
One thing is clear: The era of unchecked child influencer empires may finally be facing its downfall.
Will you be watching Bad Influence? Share your thoughts in the comments!