Netflix Exposes Dark Truth: Why Kidfluencing Must Be BANNED

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Since the pandemic started, the number of kidfluencers has skyrocketed due to the internet and social media becoming increasingly essential during lockdowns. Contrary to expectations, it appears that parents have discovered a lucrative market, and it involves significant income. A concerning three-part documentary on Netflix titled “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing” features former members of the popular YouTube channel “Piper’s Squad,” shedding light on this growing phenomenon.

In the group, there was teen sensation Piper Rockelle along with her fellow content creators. However, they eventually left the clique. The documentary series delves into the severe accusations made by these former members against Piper’s mother, Tiffany Smith. They alleged that she mistreated some of them and fostered an unpleasant atmosphere.

With the acclaimed success of Hulu’s heart-wrenching series Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke and Shari Franke advocating for child protection, Bad Influence offers another crucial insight into the world of kidfluencers. This Netflix documentary fearlessly reveals the grim reality that unfolded within the notorious squad.

The series Bad Influence underscores the need for a ban on kidfluencing, and here’s why:

1. It highlights the potential harm children can suffer while being used as content creators.
2. It raises awareness about the exploitation that may occur within this industry.
3. It emphasizes the importance of protecting children from such unhealthy environments.

The Blatant Violation of Children’s Boundaries

Unfortunately, exploiting someone’s boundaries for monetary advantage is a regrettably common tactic employed by many individuals in influential roles. Tiffany Smith and Hunter Hill were among these individuals, using their power without hesitation. The unfair power structure within Piper’s Squad was clearly established, with Smith and Hill holding the top positions while the children and adolescents who joined either through invitation or casting calls were inferior in every sense. Members of the acclaimed YouTube channel found themselves working long hours, even though most were still students. Essentially, saying no to work wasn’t an option for them.

The dark side of kidfluencing isn’t just child labor; Tiffany Smith allegedly took it upon herself to exacerbate the difficulties faced by the Squad teenagers. The true-crime series Bad Influence uncovers that, at the outset of Piper’s Squad, they filmed amusing skits and pranks. However, these activities soon evolved into something more explicit. Smith coerced squad members to cultivate “crushes” among themselves, allowing subscribers to cheer them on as they pursued their affections and watched them allegedly “fall in love.” Tiffany and Hunter pushed the children to simulate intimate moments, expose themselves online in suggestive clothing, and engage in behavior intended to entice viewers.

The protection against online predators is a significant concern in kidfluencing, as they might cross boundaries and stalk children offline as well. Regrettably, the safety of kidfluencers, both online and offline, has never been prioritized. In the case of the Squad members, their privacy has been repeatedly invaded, with their content still being shared on the internet, potentially in the wrong hands.

In a disturbing turn of events, Tiffany Smith, despite facing accusations, continues to live comfortably. What’s more alarming is that she has reportedly started selling suggestive photos of her daughter to potential predators. This act of exploitation, whether Piper is fully aware of the implications or not, generates income for Smith.

The Shocking Aftermath of Working as a Kidfluencer

From my perspective as a movie critic, it may appear that kidfluencers are basking in an idyllic lifestyle filled with entertaining challenges, captivating toys, and engaging activities. However, what’s often unseen by viewers is the harmful impact these young content creators experience due to their social media presence.

Behind the scenes, you won’t witness the desperate pleas for a break (work hours extended), the reluctance to be in front of cameras, the feelings of defeat when parental decisions prevail. These are aspects of their lives that many don’t get to peek into, but they are an integral part of the kidfluencer experience.

Typically, children tend to trust adults because they believe that the well-being of a child is important to them. At the beginning, the teenagers featured in this heart-wrenching documentary trusted Tiffany and Hunter. However, it’s utterly unacceptable for an underage person to be exploited online for increased views or revenue. It’s disheartening to think that private videos could be leaked for all to see, regardless of intent, and that millions can judge a child with minimal restraint is just wrong.

One of the most startling instances in the series is when it was discovered that Tiffany Smith deliberately posted videos on adult entertainment websites, resulting in YouTube classifying their content as explicit and possibly harmful. Tiffany Smith is responsible for exposing these teenagers to erotic platforms, fully aware that malicious individuals would likely find and view their videos. Furthermore, Smith and Hunter Hill were the masterminds behind the Squad’s scandalous and inappropriate content, yet no one intervened to safeguard these children from the hazards of the internet.

Ex-Kidfluencers Are Fighting To Protect Other Children

Shari Franke, along with her five other siblings, endured a harrowing ordeal often associated with child influencers, as depicted extensively in Hulu’s groundbreaking true-crime documentary series. Being the eldest daughter of YouTube’s most controversial mommy blogger, Ruby Franke, who operated the channel “8 Passengers” from 2015 to 2022, Shari personally confronted the risks and sinister aspects of kidfluencing.

Following the arrest and sentencing of Ruby Franke for severe child abuse in 2023, Shari has taken up the cause of safeguarding children online, with a focus on family vlogging. She champions tighter regulations to maintain the safety of children, which includes limiting their exposure to cameras overall. There are currently no laws that can protect children who work as content creators, as once an image or video is released, privacy boundaries may be breached. Bad Influence serves as a stark reminder of this issue. Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing can be streamed on Netflix.

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2025-04-20 01:02