Dangerous Influence

by Sally Nicholls

Acclaimed author Sally Nicholls delivers a gripping and thought-provoking portrayal of the complex dynamics of influencer culture and the dangers of 'sharenting'.

Ever since she was little, Anna and her sister Josie have been the main feature of her mum’s vlogs and social media posts, which have documented every moment of their lives, from family dinners to temper tantrums. While Josie seems to enjoy the attention, Anna has always felt uncomfortable with her entire life being laid bare online.

But then it becomes clear that Josie is being stalked by one of her followers, and both girls decide that enough is enough. They refuse to allow their mum to film them any more, but will she finally take them seriously when her entire livelihood depends on Anna and Josie being content for her followers?

Genres: Contemporary

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2026

About the author

Sally Nicholls is a prize-winning British children's author. She was born and grew up in Stockton-on-Tees. On finishing school, Nicholls chose to travel around the world. Her first novel was Ways to Live Forever.

Reviews

[jas ♡ · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Chloë Mali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!

This is short little read- I got through it in about thirty minutes. It showcases the realities of childhood vlogging, something I think we desperately need to see addressed more. I’d like to see more books like this! I’m a little confused on what age range this book is for, but think it’s suitable for younger teens.

[Snarhooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dangerous Influence is an engaging realistic fiction story that looks at the impact of social media on young people. The twist with this story is that it is not the choice of Anna and her sister Josie to engage with social media. Their mum is an influencer and has been documenting her daughters' lives online since they were very young. From toilet training to tantrums to the demands of teenagers, the videos have covered every aspect of the sisters' lives.

Anna has always struggled with appearing in the videos. She is uncomfortable performing for the camera whereas Josie seems to thrive on it and even has her own channel now. Other kids at school are aware of the videos and Anna has been mocked for them and even lost friends when her mum criticised another child's birthday party. Then there are the comments from people online.

When a new girl, Charlie, starts at school she opens Anna's eyes to the notion that she and Josie are being exploited by their mum. Child actors have limits on how many hours they can work, and they must be paid for their time, but there is nothing in place to protect the children of influencers. Anna tries to get her mum to agree to stop filming her but that too ends up as a video open to commentary from those on both sides of the argument.

Part of the story looks at how parenting is influenced by a person's own experiences as a child. The girls' grandma is estranged from the family as the mum feels she was neglected by her. There is also a subplot about 15 year-old Josie receiving creepy messages and comments which escalate to real-life stalking. There is a lot going on for a book of only 121 pages and I think it might have been better to focus more on the main aspect of the story rather than include both subplots. Alternatively, a sequel about Josie's side of the story and her experience with the comments and stalking would have provided the opportunity to flesh out that aspect of the plot in more detail. However, I appreciate that it is difficult to really tackle weighty issues when you are writing a book with quite specific requirements.

It is an apt time to read and review this book as it is Dyslexia Awareness week. Dangerous Influence is published by Barrington Stoke who publish books in a dyslexic-friendly format i.e off-white paper, clear font and larger than usual spacings. Their books are often written so that they are accessible and engaging for those whose reading age is younger than their chronological age. This book is written so that it could be understood by someone with a reading age of 8 but with a plot intended to appeal to readers 13+.

The book does cover serious topics and there are a couple of instances of swearing so I can see why it may merit the 13+ tag. But the content is not explicit and some of the darker aspects are left for the reader to infer. For example, when the messages Josie receives are revealed there is a line about how one is just a picture and it is left to the reader to infer what the picture Anna finds so shocking could be of. Main character Anna is 13, but, as she herself says, she is young for her age and this comes across on the page. I think more 12 or even 11 year olds would find her relatable than readers aged 13+.

Overall, I found this to be an engaging read on a subject that I have rarely seen written about. I think the intended audience will like the twist that it is the parent misusing social media and Anna's conflict between not wanting to hurt her mum or expose her to commentary and her desire to not be filmed. We get to see how different characters view the same events, which gives them greater depth. This would be a good choice for a lower ability reader who wants to read books on topics and issues that are relevant to them and their peers.

Thanks to Toppsta for the review copy.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a bit of tension and a lot of thought, these pages dive into the problem of influencers' children as they are now growing up.

Anna is now a teen, and for as long as she can remember, her mother has incorporated her and her sister's lives into social media posts. While her mother became famous as a mother-vlogger, Anna doesn't want to be involved anymore, since it's seriously hampering her social life in the most awkward of ways. But then, she's never been happy about the constant video life. Her sister, however, has always shined and has even started her own social media presence. When Anna meets a new friend at school who explains that Anna should be getting paid for her participation in her mother's success, Anna finally sees a possible out. But then, a more unpleasant side-effect of the constant social media presence seeps in. Her sister is being stalked.

The theme of this read hits a modern day issue spot-on...and one that isn't often mentioned. This book takes a look at the problems influencers' children, who have been featured in their videos while younger, can face when hitting their teenage years. Videos don't always age well, especially when placed against normal teen problems of insecurity, peer scrutiny, and the like. The author works this aspect in nicely as Anna faces videos of her toilet training years and such. Then, there's the problem of these teens simply trying to find their own place in the world, and Anna and her sister need to battle against the social media presence which has defined their complete lives until that point. Also, the author hits upon the problem of predators, and how this can infiltrate in horrible ways...although the author does keep this aspect on the tamer end to keep this friendly for upper middle graders and lower teen readers, too.

Anna's perspective defines this read. It's easy to sympathize with Anna and understand her issues. It's also clear that things need to change. Still, some of Anna's actions aren't well thought out or the best plan of action. This fits her age group wonderfully and makes her realistic. At the same time, the consequences aren't really there, either. I was glad to see that the mother's reasons for her actions aren't forgotten, although Anna never seems to truly understand it even at the end. There's also a side-plot with their 'never seen' grandmother and a relationship gone bad between her and the mother, which works to define some of the reasons behind the mother's behavior. The stalker side adds tension but is kept light. Everything works, but I think that's where the short length of the book exposes weaknesses over a slightly longer read, which can bring in more richness.

That said, I do appreciate the shortness of the read, especially since the author, obviously, wrote this with weaker readers in mind. The sentence structure, sentence length, and vocabulary head toward a slightly lower reading level than usual young adult books. So, this one is good for those readers, who aren't avid word masters. It also works nicely for slightly younger readers, since the material is never inappropriate.

[Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Dangerous Influence by Sally Nicholls.
I read this book with my home-educated daughter during a coach trip as a way to pass the time, but what started as a story about a family vlogger quickly became something much deeper.
The story follows Anna and Josie, whose lives have been shared online by their mother since they were very young. Through their experiences, the book explores the realities of growing up in the public eye and raises important questions about children's privacy, consent, and the long-term impact of having your life documented online.
What I appreciated most was how naturally the book opened up important conversations. The story prompted discussions with my daughter about children's rights online, privacy, consent, and the ethics of sharing children's lives on social media. From there, we found ourselves exploring wider issues surrounding online safety, including grooming, stalking, harassment, and how difficult it can be to know whether someone online is really who they claim to be.
I think that is one of the book's greatest strengths. While it focuses on the impact of growing up online and having your life shared for an audience, it also creates opportunities for readers and families to discuss the broader risks and responsibilities that come with using the internet.
Nicholls handles these topics in an accessible way for the target audience while never talking down to readers. The story also touches on family relationships and how a chain of events and unresolved experiences can sometimes lead people to make misguided decisions, adding depth and realism to the narrative.
While written for younger teens, this is a book that parents, carers, educators, and home-educating families may find equally valuable. It serves as both an engaging story and an excellent conversation starter about online safety, consent, privacy, and the responsibilities that come with sharing children's lives online.
A timely and thought-provoking read that stayed with us long after we finished it.
Its for this reason i am rating the book 5 stars, because for me this was a valuble story that could be linked to education and further discussions regarding the UK govenments Social Media Ban for under 16s

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna hates the reactions of all her schoolmates to her being online famous – reluctantly. For Anna was dragged into the monetised utube videos of her vlogging mother, whether it be as 'innocent child in park for tweeness and likes' or 'proper influencer's proper influencer daughter'. A new friend, oddly earnestly, latches on to the issue and says she and her sister should strike, and/or get paid as child labourers. But is there any way the mother can – or ever will – stop with the insistence that everything be made a video of?

This has a lot of the issues about this covered – the way certain portions of the audience sexualise the children, the way the mother is reliant on what can easily be seen as a dangerous activity to earn the family's income, as well as the basics of the permission side of things. It makes a readable story of it all, too, as opposed to something hectoring about it all, mostly through just how very relatable Anna is.

This is an awkward book for me to review, however, for I was aware of having read this months ago, from the very first few pages right to the last. But all my records and the entire Internet, it seems, says I haven't. I've never had such a strong deja vu of something I've "not" read – and I cannot for one minute say Barrington Stoke or Ms Nicholls have done something peculiar here, it's just to report a reason for this being a peculiar write-up.

I clearly should have been filming me reading it the first time.

But to the issue at hand, this is perfectly competently done – it is a B-Stoke book with perhaps the highest split between reading ability needed (8-year-old) and target audience age (13-ish). Therefore it is – alongside being dyslexia-friendly – something that is both perfectly easy to read, and also maturely gritty (to a point). It takes something where there might not actually be a brilliantly safe and easy resolution for everyone, and just about succeeds with the sense of closure this offers at the end. And while it is very readable, I would repeat the level of issues here make this quite the educational drama – while never forgetting we've picked this up for the pleasure.

[Angela Pinkerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose Dangerous Influence because I am always on the lookout for fiction and nonfiction reads that can help my students develop ideas, form opinions, and consider different perspectives on technology and its role in society. I especially love that this fictional story explores a very real and complex issue that students encounter in their own lives. As a secondary teacher, I teach a unit on technology in which students write a persuasive essay about whether technology is helpful or harmful, making this short story an excellent addition to that unit.

Written in first person from Anna’s perspective, the story gives readers an honest look at what it is like to grow up with a mother who has been vlogging about her family for most of Anna’s entire life (since she was two). Anna’s sister, Josie, is the internet’s favorite, creating an interesting contrast between the sisters and how they experience their mother’s online presence. As the story unfolds, both girls find themselves in situations that put their mental and physical well-being at risk, prompting readers to consider the impact of sharing personal information about children online.

One of the strengths of Dangerous Influence is how easily readers can connect with Anna’s thoughts and feelings. Because the story is told from her perspective, readers get a glimpse into the emotions and concerns that can be hidden behind the carefully edited world of social media. Although the story ends on a hopeful note, it raises important questions about privacy, consent, and the potential dangers of sharing children’s lives online.

I would recommend Dangerous Influence for middle-grade readers, particularly those who are interested in social media and technology. It is a quick, engaging read that gives students plenty to think about and provides a meaningful starting point for conversations about the ways technology can influence our lives—for better and for worse.

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A contemporary teen fiction about a girl who's tired of being the subject of her influencer mom's videos. A serious topic, made slightly darker by some of the included topics. A good discussion from both sides of the argument, though obviously tilted towards the daughter. Plenty of themes. An interesting book that lends itself to thought and discussion. Recommended.

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Plot Preview:

Thirteen-year-old Anna, along with her elder sister Josie, has been featured in her mother's vlogs ever since she was a toddler. Though Josie seems to enjoy her online exposure, Anna is not happy with the extra attention and the teasing, nor with her private moments being available for public viewing. But when a serious issue comes up, both girls decide that enough is enough. How do they convince their mom to stop, especially as vlogging brings in her only income?
The story comes to us in Anna's first-person perspective.

A couple of months ago, I read a graphic novel titled "I Didn't Ask For This", which was about children of influencer parents not having a say in their privacy being exposed for public consumption. That book went the mixed way, addressing the problem more through a legal and legislative point of view than from the personal angle. When I saw this book dealing with the same topic, I hoped that it would do better justice to the serious matter. It does, despite a few hiccups.

The topic is complex enough. The story discusses both the parent's and the child's points of view. But as the writing is in Anna's first-person perspective, it is obviously slightly lopsided in her favour. I still appreciate that their mother's feelings are also included to some extent. I also love how the story points fingers not just at the mother but also at strangers on the internet devouring such content even if they are judgemental towards influencers.

While the topics of reduced privacy and the missing consent are important enough, the story also includes several other issues such as online trolling, body shaming, stalking, parental abandonment, single parenting, financial struggles, bullying and teasing at school, and objectification of young girls by perverts. (I should have taken the word "dangerous" in the title very seriously.) I wish some of the topics had been discarded so that a few important topics could have received their share of the focus. In a book of only 128 pages, having so many topics feels like an overload.

Anna's POV is an interesting one. She makes several valid arguments, but she doesn't often consider things from her mother's perspective. It's easy to see influencers as villains out to exploit their kids for monetary gains, but the book does Anna no favours by depicting her mom as a single parent with no other source of income. It divided my feelings to some extent because I felt sorry for the mom also despite her obliviousness to her kids' struggles. Further, she wasn't entirely selfish but did show indications of being protective and observant at least online. Turning her into a semi-positive figure diluted the intensity of some of Anna's arguments against the vlogging.

The writing is mostly on point. As per this publisher's usual Hi-Lo approach, the story aims at teens but the language is at a lower reading age, making the book accessible even to slow/reluctant readers. I just wish a couple of the lines had been edited to suit the target age group better. The scene with one parent calling another a ‘bitch’ and their child repeating the same word, and the line where Anna talks of an online stranger possibly being "a weird man trying to get in my pants" did make me comfortable. Also, the "me and Josie" construction is used a couple of times. I know many children speak this way but I still hate seeing this structure in books. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Overall, the book does do justice to the topic, even if it tries to go in too many directions at once. Several of the included topics are disturbing but relevant to the modern world. Given how many governments (UK, where this book is set, being the latest) are working on restricting social media access to the 16+ age group but still have no laws in place for children of influencers, such books offer a valid and much required talking point.

Recommended, but not to individual readers. Because of the nature of the content, I think this book would do better in an environment that facilitates interaction such as a library storytelling session or a classroom discussion on online privacy. As the book covers some mature topics, it will better suit teens aged 13+.

3.5 stars.


My thanks to Barrington Stoke for providing the DRC of “Dangerous Influence” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.

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Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||

[Joey-Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

I really enjoyed this book, it was so deep and delved right into the darker sides of posting online. I loved seeing the different perspectives of the girls and how it was affecting them, how they handled everything. It was pretty scary with the stalker storyline and how easy they were to access due to everything the mum shared about them. Such an important book in this day and age full of YouTubers, social media and people putting every bit of information out there on the internet and having their kids be at risk because of it.

The fact that the mum really didn’t care about them, she just did what she wanted and then manipulated the girls to believe she was doing it for them and calling the freebies payment, honestly really irritated me. My goodness she made me angry, I didn’t like her one bit not even at the end. She exploited them and put them at risk constantly, she didn’t even seem to care that the girls had opinions or feelings.

I did like Anna and Josie, though they didn’t even get a choice with how their life was and had to suffer constantly. Their lives were so much harder than they should’ve been, being filmed constantly was taking its toll on the girls. I did like that with Charlie’s help it gave them an option and courage to do something about it all and that it brought them closer together to help end the situation they were in.

I really liked this book it was powerful, deep, scary, sad and incredibly realistic in an era where all children want is to be internet famous, this shows them how dangerous that really is and that they should not want that. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the path they took and seeing how they went about fixing the issues. It’s a great read and I do recommend this book.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is from the perspective of a teen whose mother is a vlogger using her children for content. I was initially intrigued after admittedly falling into a rabbit hole last year around the Franke family vlogger controversy, and this explores similar themes (although less extreme). The story centralises on the perspective of one of the children, but the author manages to humanise the mum enough that you can kind of see her motivations without disregarding the children’s views.

I think it handled the topic well, aiming higher with the content but with a more accessible reading level to encourage reluctant readers or those with reading needs. I have used Barrington Stoke books for reading intervention with KS3 pupils for years, and this would be a welcome addition to the roster.

My only trepidation is the use of the word “bitch” and the references to harmful sexual comments - this would lead me to being more selective with the pupils I choose to share the story with. However, it would be naive to assume most KS3 pupils are unaware of these things already, and it could provide opportunities for valuable conversations.

I think the book would spark fantastic discussions around morality, choice and consent, as well as the complexities of family relationships and the realities of being an influencer.

With thanks to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for the advanced copy.

[J Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

This is an excellent short story from a teens perspective about how putting kids on the internet (mommy/family channels) impacts their lives.

In this story we hear from Anna’s perspective what it’s been like for her Mom to vlog for Anna’s whole life. Anna also has a sister, Josie, who is, shall we say, the internets favorite. Josie and Anna face different situations that are dangerous to their mental and physical well being because of their mom’s online presence.

Although this story ends with a happy conclusion, it raises awareness about the dangers of sharing your life and your children’s lives online.

I know there are now laws in place about paying your children if they are part of a parents vlogging channel, but realistically the monetary aspect is at the bottom of the ladder as far as dangers children face when they are put in the public eye.

This is a great book to read because it shows that not only is there more than meets the eye with what people choose to out online, but it also sheds light on the overall dangers of the internet. The reach of an online presence is vast and open for all types of abuse and predators.

[Autumn (Wanda for Halloween) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

So this is the second book I've read on the topic of how vlogging affects children. The first one was This Trauma is Sponsored by Anna Lindwasser. In my personal opinion, this book was better, but they're both good in their own ways.

It's rather short, but effective and straight to the point. It does a really great job of showing all the problems around vlogging, including the "pros" (if you could call them that) that keep families vlogging even if they know the effects on their children. I think that this is a serious issue that needs to be discussed. More and more children from YouTube families are coming out and describing their negative experiences. Giving children an age-appropriate introduction to the topic is a really good idea in my personal opinion.

I really wish that this was longer and went into more depth, but that's all that I didn't like about it. It was all-in-all a great introduction to this topic!

Content Warnings: Child Exploitation, Bullying, Stalking, Comments about Minors' Bodies/Behavior

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital arc from the publisher via netgalley.
This should be required reading for anyone showing their kid on the internet. I really liked this! It was quite short and very easy to read so I think this would be very suitable to middle grade readers. I had previously read "Yours From the Tower" from the author and was a bit disappointed I didn't enjoy the writing style quite as much - however the simplicity makes this book really accessible, especially for readers on the younger side of middle grade. The topics dealt with are very relevant as of right now. I loved that the sisters weren't plotted against each other but despite their differences working together and caring about each other. I would have loved to read a bit more about Anna's friend Charlie and her background, I feel like there were things left to explore on that front. Overall I would recommend this to middle grade readers and enjoyed this quick read quite a lot.

[➳Elizabeth Rose♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this would be harrowing from the description but it was even more so than I expected….

I wish all the TikTok Mum’s could read this and understand the damage they are causing by invading their children’s privacy through exploitation and in some cases, abuse. This is so relevant to a generation obsessed with being chronically online and showing their children this is the norm.

I commend the author and Barrington Stoke for shining a spotlight on this. A lot of insightful detail of Anna and Josie’s life was included in a short amount of pages. I will definitely be purchasing this for the library!

Thanks NetGalley x

[Rach (pagesofpiper) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much effect does social media have on us as adults... let alone children?

Anna's Mum is a single parent who has shared her children online since they were young. Their whole lives depend on sponsorship videos, looking good online and positivity. However, it's not working any more. Anna and Josie want out, however their Mum still thinks it's a wonderful idea.

Touches on topics such as families, social media, body image, online abuse and consent.

This book is publish under Barrington Stoke, suitable for children who has dyslexia or struggle to read.

If you're wanting further reading, I highly recommend Amanda Sage and Tasmin Winter

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dangerous Influence focuses on the topic of online consent, specifically that of children, in a way that is accessible for the KS3 age range.

I think that this book would provide a good springboard for discussion around the topic, and could also encourage children to reflect on their own posting habits. I will admit, this book did present the topic from a very one-sided viewpoint (parents who post their children = evil), but given the intended readership, I don't think that this is a major issue.

What did bother me, as a teacher, was the amount of swearing in this book; it's something that is definitely on the increase in media aimed at younger and younger children, unfortunately, not just this one book. It does mean that this book could not be used in the classroom, and the swearing used added nothing to the story beyond our main character insulting her mum, so in the future the author and editors should consider widening their vocabulary, especially for this audience.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading middle grade and HOT DAMN. Did this pack a punch! Great commentary on influencer culture, especially in the family space.

Anna and Josie have grown up in front of a camera, as directed by their mother. When does vlogging cross the line from genuine love and care to fake smiles and scripts? Would you continue to subject your children to strangers in return for a Disney package?

I’m not sure if all middle grade books are as clear and concise with their messaging or did this one just nail it on the head?!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC.

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really short story but it truly packed a punch. It really threw me into the life of the main character and I felt such anger on her behalf. It all just made me so mad and made me feel so much. I really flew through this book, I couldn't stop reading and I just found it so interest from beginning to end. I wanted more but it was also perfect as it was. I really felt like I was in this house with the kids and I even shed a few tears towards the end. So short, but so impactful.

[Kayleighreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankyou NetGalley and the publisher for letting me receive an arc copy of dangerous influence by Sally Nicholls.

This is a powerful short story about growing up in the spotlight of family vlogs and social media. Told through a teenagers eyes. It’s both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.

Despite its positive ending this story serves as a reminder of the lasting impact that online exposure can have on children.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novel was a perfect length in my opinion. It got straight to the point with its message, not leaving room for any misunderstandings. Whilst I did thoroughly enjoy this, and believe in the importance of this message, I do believe the message is better targeted towards adults, those who are responsible for creating the accounts mentioned in this book.
3.75 🌟
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for allowing me to read and enjoy this arc <3

[يوسف عبداللطيف · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkably insightful text that delves into core intellectual themes, 'Dangerous Influence' by Sally Nicholls, unraveling subtle details that are often overlooked in mainstream discussions, a genuinely rewarding experience for avid and thoughtful readers.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is published by Barrington Stoke, which publishes short novels that are hi-lo (high-interest, low-ability), meaning the content is appropriate to the reader's age, but the text is edited to suit a lower reading age. The main character deals with the backlash and problems associated with social media, but from her mother's vlogs and not her own account. Because of this, the book offers a unique perspective. I think this book does what it set out to do; it provides an age-appropriate and important story for those readers at a lower reading level. It does have some mild language, which I didn't think was needed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this review copy.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really important read for people who share every facet of their kid's lives online