Parents Uncharted: From The Creator of Mom Uncharted

What happens when a child is raised as content, and then grows up in front of the same audience that watched her childhood unfold? In this episode, Sarah is joined by investigative journalist Kat Tenbarge, author of Spitfire News, for an important conversation about kidfluencer culture, creator exploitation, parasocial audiences, and the attention economy shaping the next generation. Kat has spent years reporting on internet culture, influencer abuse, online harassment, and the systems that turn children into profitable brands. Together, Sarah and Kat unpack the cultural fallout surrounding Piper Rockelle’s rise to YouTube fame, the allegations made by former members of her “Piper Squad,” and the troubling trajectory from child stardom to increasingly sexualized adult content. They discuss why these stories are so difficult to talk about responsibly, what happens when children are taught that their relationships, identities, and private lives are part of a business model, and why parents cannot assume that kids who grow up online automatically have strong digital literacy skills. This episode also explores the broader “kidfluencer-to-OnlyFans pipeline,” the online culture that rewards girls and young women for sexualization, the role of male creators and podcast culture in profiting from and degrading women simultaneously, and why empathy, not condemnation, is essential when discussing young people who have been exploited online. In this episode: Piper Rockelle’s rise as one of YouTube’s most successful child creators The blurred line between scripted content, reality, and exploitation in kidfluencer culture Why “boyfriend,” cheating, and sexualized storylines were so profitable for child creators The psychological impact of growing up with every friendship, conflict, and milestone turned into content How child creators can become financially responsible for the adults around them Why fame, luxury, and viral success can still coexist with isolation and loneliness The pressure creators face to produce content across multiple platforms, constantly Why so many young viewers struggle to distinguish staged content from reality The risks of young audiences following creators as their content becomes increasingly sexualized The misleading fantasy of fast wealth promoted through platforms like OnlyFans Whether we are witnessing a broader child-creator-to-adult-content pipeline Most importantly, Sarah and Kat offer a reminder for parents: we may not be able to remove every harmful message from the internet, but we can build stronger relationships with our children, talk openly about what they are seeing, and help them develop the critical thinking skills to navigate digital spaces with more resilience. Chapters (00:00) When a Child Creator Becomes an Adult Brand (03:21) Piper Rockelle’s Rise—and the Early Red Flags (15:08) Scripted Clickbait, Sexualization & Lost Childhoods (22:48) The Multimillion-Dollar Business of Kidfluencer Fame (30:28) The Attention Economy: Why Creators Keep Escalating (36:39) Young Audiences, Adult Content & the Bop House Effect (42:50) Is There a Kidfluencer-to-OnlyFans Pipeline? (51:43) Supporting Victims Instead of Shaming Them (1:01:11) What Parents Can Do: Digital Literacy, Connection & Conversation About Kat Tenbarge Kat Tenbarge is an investigative journalist and the author of Spitfire News, where she reports on internet culture, influencer exploitation, online abuse, politics, and the systems shaping life online. Her reporting has examined major creator scandals, child influencer culture, abuse allegations involving online personalities, and the real-world consequences of platform-driven fame. Connect with Kat Website: https://spitfirenews.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kattenbarge/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kattenbarge.bsky.social Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*This episode touches on suicide and self-harm and other dangers related to AI Chatbots. These topics may be difficult for some, listener discretion is advised. Resources below* In this episode, Nicki Petrossi, founder of the Scrolling 2 Death podcast and the Tech Safe Learning Coalition, breaks down the growing impact of AI chatbots and artificial intelligence on children’s mental health and development. From teens turning to AI for emotional support to the risks of isolation, harmful content, and misinformation, we unpack what parents need to understand about tools like ChatGPT and other chatbot platforms. Nicki also explains the major lawsuit against Big Tech companies over their role in youth mental health and child safety, and how whistleblowers have helped expose internal concerns about platform risks. The conversation dives into AI in schools, education technology (EdTech), and the formation of the Tech Safe Learning Coalition- a movement pushing for greater transparency, parental rights, and stronger safeguards in the classroom. If you’re concerned about AI, screen time, teen mental health, or how to advocate for safer technology policies in your child’s school, this episode offers both insight and practical steps to take action. More About Nicki: Nicki Petrossi is a former social media executive turned social media reform advocate. In late 2023, Nicki launched Scrolling 2 Death, a podcast for parents who are worried about social media. It’s a safe space to elevate the human experiences of children online and educate parents on how to keep them safe. In 2025, Nicki launched Tech-Safe Learning Coalition, which supports parents related to issues with school tech, and The Heat is On, an investigative mini-series and parent movement to hold Big Tech accountable for harm to children. Founder & Host, Scrolling 2 Death Podcast Co-Founder, Tech-Safe Learning Coalition Founder, S2D Foundation https://www.scrolling2death.com/ https://www.scrolling2death.com/heat If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. You are not alone. CANADA: Talk Suicide Canada Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 in English and French) Kids Help Phone (youth & young adults)Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 UNITED STATES: Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 (Available 24/7) Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 If you are outside Canada or the U.S., please check your local health services for crisis support in your region. Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Nikki Petrossi and Scrolling to Death (01:57) The Impact of AI on Children (06:00) The Dangers of AI Chatbots (10:00) The Role of Technology in Education (13:58) Tech Safe Learning Coalition and Parental Rights (18:02) Advocating for Change in Schools (22:18) The Landmark Lawsuit Against Big Tech (25:49) The Role of Whistleblowers in Accountability (31:24) Navigating Mental Health in Advocacy (35:52) Empowering Parents to Take Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah is joined by journalist Fortesa Latifi to unpack the rapidly evolving- and increasingly controversial- world of kidfluencers and child influencers. Together, they explore what it means for children to grow up online, from the rise of family vlogging and sharenting to the growing backlash against monetizing kids on social media. The conversation examines shifting parental attitudes, the cultural impact of documentaries like Bad Influence, and the emergence of content houses and influencer pipelines designed specifically for young creators. Sarah and Fortesa also break down recent child influencer laws and financial protections, discussing what these regulations get right- and where they still fall short when it comes to safeguarding kids’ privacy, labor rights, and long-term well-being. They reflect on how public tragedies have changed the way audiences view child influencers, and the emotional toll that constant visibility and online scrutiny can place on families. The episode goes on to explore the power dynamics between teen influencers, brands, and traditional celebrities, as well as the blurred line between autonomy and exploitation in the influencer economy. Finally, Sarah shares personal reflections on parenting in the digital age, the risks of building a child’s digital footprint too early, and the looming challenges AI and synthetic media may pose for kids’ safety and identity online. This episode is a must-listen for parents, policymakers, educators, and anyone questioning where the line should be drawn when it comes to children, content, and consent in the age of social media. More About Fortesa Latifi: Fortesa Latifi is a journalist based in Los Angeles. She is the author of the forthcoming LIKE, FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE: Influencer Kids & The Cost of A Childhood Online; a searing investigation into the child influencer industry and the perils of childhood internet fame, Like, Follow, Subscribe is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the costs of internet fame, and the ethics of online content. She has also been published in Rolling Stone, The Cut, The New York Times, and more. ⁠⁠https://www.fortesalatifi.com/⁠⁠ Pre-order LIKE, FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE: Influencer Kids & The Cost of A Childhood Online Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠⁠⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted⁠⁠ Follow The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted (00:00) The Rise of Kidfluencing and Its Impact (05:01) Shifts in Parental Perspectives on Sharing Children Online (10:59) The Dark Side of Kidfluencing: Insights from Documentaries (20:06) Content Houses: The New Frontier for Young Influencers (26:09) Legal Protections for Child Influencers: A Step Forward (28:42) The Complexity of Child Influencer Laws (31:14) Tragedy and Public Reaction in Influencer Families (39:33) The Rise of Teen Influencers and Brand Power (45:52) Personal Reflections on Social Media and Privacy (48:18) The Future of Kid Influencers and AI Concerns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Parents Uncharted, a new podcast hosted by Sarah Adams, the creator behind Mom Uncharted! Sarah will explore the unprecedented challenges modern parents face in raising generation Alpha; the first kids born entirely into the digital age . From navigating digital spaces and social media safely, to climate change and mental health, expect expert insights and practical advice for raising resilient, future-ready children. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Sarah Adams: ⁠https://momuncharted.com/⁠ https://www.instagram.com/mom.uncharted/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.uncharted Follow The Podcast: ⁠http://parentsuncharted.com/⁠ https://www.instagram.com/parents.uncharted/ https://www.tiktok.com/@parents.uncharted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices