It’s definitely got me thinking after watching “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing” on Netflix. It stirred up a lot of memories, especially since my son was actually one of the early “IG Kids” when the whole kidfluencer scene was just taking off. Back then, sharing cute little outfits and daily life moments seemed so innocent. When the brand collaborations and PR packages started rolling in, it felt like a fun bonus, a happy little phase of getting free clothes and toys.

Things shifted over the years, though. My son started to really dislike the constant photoshoots, and I respected that, only doing it when he was actually in the mood. Then, towards the end of last year, he told me he was completely done. Of course, I might have gently nudged him a little on some occasions, but ultimately, I’m glad I wasn’t too caught up in the social media fame myself, maybe because I never really went viral or became super famous. I’ve always been a bit more private anyway.

But watching this documentary really highlights how easy it is to get swept up in the likes, the views, and especially the earnings. It can blind you to the fact that you might be, in a way, exploiting your child. To anyone else who might be in a similar boat as I was, I really recommend watching this series. It’s a real eye-opener and makes you think hard about the kind of content you’re putting out there, especially as your kids get older and approach their teens.

We need to be so careful about the eyes that are watching and who we choose to collaborate with. Just because someone is famous and can bring you more followers doesn’t mean they’re necessarily decent or respectable. Remember, who you work with reflects not only on your child but on you as a parent too.

Those dollars can be tempting, but you won’t get back your child’s childhood. Don’t get so caught up in constantly filming that you forget to actually enjoy the moment. Make sure your child is dressing age-appropriately and not being sexualized for views. You are the parent, you are in control. You should be the one protecting your child and not actually the one enabling it just for the opportunities it brings you. Keep an open mind. You might not be a Tiffany Smith, but in some ways, you could still be unintentionally hurting your child. It’s something we all need to be mindful of.