The Complex Landscape of Child Influencers: Piper Rockelle’s Story
The creator economy, valued at approximately $250 billion annually, serves as a significant source of income for many influencers, particularly those with robust online followings. In its latest docuseries, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, Netflix delves into the life of Piper Rockelle, a former child star whose journey from pageantry to digital fame illustrates both the appeal and the pitfalls of this burgeoning industry.
Rise to Fame
Piper Rockelle first gained notoriety at just nine years old, progressing to an impressive subscriber base of over 10 million on YouTube. By 2019, she was collaborating with a group of other young influencers known as the “Squad” on various YouTube projects, which included vlogs and challenge videos. Many members of the Squad shared a residence with Rockelle and her mother, Tiffany Smith, who managed their online presence.
Legal Challenges and Allegations
In 2022, a lawsuit was filed by 11 former young influencers against Smith, alleging they were not compensated for their contributions while working in the Squad. The suit included serious claims of “verbal and sexual” abuse, alongside pressure to sexualize their online personas. The lawsuit was resolved in 2024 for approximately $1.85 million, although both Rockelle and Smith have denied the accusations, describing them as unfounded and attributed to “stage-mom Karens.”
Content Creator Responsibility
Following the allegations, Rockelle’s YouTube account faced demonetization due to violations of YouTube’s “Creator Responsibility” policy linked to Smith’s alleged misconduct outside the platform. Bad Influence focuses not only on Rockelle’s experiences but also addresses broader concerns regarding the exploitation of child influencers by highlighting the darker aspects of the industry.
Conditions within the Squad
Testimonies from the lawsuit reveal disturbing working conditions among the squad members. Many reported experiences of verbal abuse, extended working hours, and coercion to present themselves in sexually suggestive manners. The young influencers shared their stories of being pressured into uncomfortable situations and harmful activities.
“The moment that changed my perspective on Tiffany Smith was the consecutive calls I was receiving from parents in the Squad about the pressure that [the kids] were being given to wear certain clothes,” shared Brandon Stewart, a content strategist involved in early projects with the group.
Confronting the Allegations
The lawsuit detailed multiple instances of inappropriate behavior from Smith towards the minors in her care. Allegations included attempts at physical coercion and other forms of sexual misconduct. Smith’s attorneys have firmly rejected these claims, characterizing the Netflix series as exploitative and damaging.
The Call for Regulation
Matthew Sarelson, an attorney representing the minors, stated that the goal of participating in the documentary was to raise awareness among parents about the potential risks associated with child influencers. “Kid content creators need greater legal protections… Parents should be especially careful allowing their kids to post content,” he noted.
Growing Concerns in the Industry
As the industry expands, experts express growing concern over the ethics of child influencer engagements. Unlike traditional child actors protected by Coogan Laws, which require a portion of earnings to be set aside for their welfare, child influencers engage in a largely unregulated environment that lacks sufficient protections.
Voices of Experience
Current child influencers, like Rockelle, continuing her career on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, remain influenced by their earlier experiences. Echoes of regret and a desire to prevent similar occurrences in the future resonate through statements of those who were part of the Squad, with many hoping to educate others regarding potential dangers.
“We may be done with the lawsuit, but what we’re not done with is sharing our experience,” reflected Ashley Rocksmith, a parent involved in the documentary. “I hope that we can prevent other kids from going through what our kids went through.”