Netflix is no stranger to controversy. By canceling fan-favorite shows and adding mediocre new ones to replace them, putting tasteless jokes in their original shows and increasing the subscription price, Netflix is turning its future bleak.

On April 27, Netflix announced its newest original series about….the Hype House. Although the news wasn’t well-received, it isn’t surprising that Netflix is finally cashing in on the new era of celebrity. The Hype House, a social media collective, was founded in 2018 to house the most popular stars of TikTok so that they could create content and make money together. The group itself included the D’Amelio sisters, Addison Rae, Lil Huddy, and the Lopez brothers, all who have been at the center of controversy at some point. With the group being accused of grooming minors, saying racial slurs, being entitled and just plain oblivious to the world around them, Netflix subscribers are furious about the decision to enlarge their platforms. 

Netflix is responsible for some of the hit shows of the decade; however, their shows run a standard length of two seasons to draw in subscribers before the shows are canceled and replaced with new ones, often subpar in comparison. Shows like “Anne with an E,” “I Am Not Okay With This,” “One Day at a Time,” “Everything Sucks,” “The Society” and “Teenage Bounty Hunters” were all hits with fans upon their release. With the range of characters each show provided, marginalized people felt like they were finally being seen. With characters of different races and sexualities appearing throughout the shows, which are all set through different time periods, Netflix was making history by giving a voice to those who had been ignored for too long.

However, by renewing shows like “Ginny and Georgia,” slammed for its sexist joke toward Taylor Swift and its stereotypical portrayal of a mixed teenage girl and “13 Reasons Why,” heavily criticized for its harmful portrayal of mental health and sexual assault, Netflix is destroying itself. Adding a reality show about social media influencers who have platforms that reach young, impressionable viewers, is dangerous territory.

The Hype House’s disregard for covid-19 guidelines, important issues like the Black Lives Matter movement and support for smaller creators just add to the list of reasons why this group of influencers do not deserve to be on such a large platform. Not to mention the effect they will have on the renewal of shows that actually represent people and give platforms to those who offer unique perspectives and ideas.

Netflix won’t stand its ground for much longer, especially after announcing this project. Other streaming services like Disney+, which is bringing in revivals of childhood favorites and HBO Max, releasing blockbuster hits for early viewing at no extra cost are already using new and innovative ideas that leave Netflix’s innovation in the past. If they continue to not listen to subscribers, Netflix is destined to become a thing of the past.