A new Netflix docuseries is taking the internet by storm. This time around, the subject matter is a doozy.
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing tells the story of The Squad, a group of child influencers who became viral sensations. While everything looked fun on camera, however, things weren’t as rosy behind the scenes.
Through interviews with former member and their parents, the docuseries asks interesting questions about the price of putting your life online, especially at such an early age. Hopefully, more people will listen.
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing Season 2 Release Date
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing premiered on Netflix on April 9, 2025, and consists of three episodes. At the time of writing, there are no plans for a potential sequel.
However, the docuseries quickly climbed in the streamer’s Top 10, proving there’s growing interest in this type of content.
Since there’s no shortage of underage social media stars, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing Season 2 could eventually become a reality.
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing Cast
- Claire RockSmith
- Sawyer Sharbino
- Corinne Joy
- Sophie Fergi
- Brandon Stewart
- Taylor Lorenz
What Is Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing About?
The docuseries revolves around YouTube star Piper Rockelle and her mother/manager, Tiffany Smith.
Rockelle became a bona fide online star when she was just a child, as her YouTube and other social media channels began to gain traction.
Before long, she had millions of followers, and her mother started to recruit other kids to appear in the videos. The collective was lovingly referred to as The Squad. The children would be filmed hanging out together, doing pranks, chatting about crushes – that type of thing.
With time, Squad members and their parents alleged that Smith became more demanding and that she engaged in inappropriate behavior. In 2022, a few of them banded together to file a lawsuit alleging that the children were “frequently subjected to an emotionally, physically and sometimes sexually abusive environment.” The case was settled in 2024.
The Netflix docuseries features interviews with former Squad members and their parents, aiming to shed light on what went on behind the scenes. Besides, it asks important questions about the practice of creating online content involving children.
As we mentioned, there are currently no plans to expand the series. If we do get Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing season 2, however, the doco could become an anthology. It could focus on other kid influencers who are now old enough to tell their side of the story.
Are There Any Other Shows Like Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing?
If this docuseries resonated with you, you might like other shows that deal with online fame. The list includes Hulu’s The Age of Influence, streaming on Disney+ in the UK, and An Update On Our Family, available on Sky.
