Fact checked by Sarah Scott Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sabrina Carpenter is best known as a vocal powerhouse who had everyone singing along to "Espresso" this summer ("That's that me espresso"). She released her latest album, Short n’ Sweet , in August this year, and she's following it up with a tour that began in September and will continue through March 2025.
Her sound is light-hearted, flirty, fun pop music, but her lyrics send a clear message—she embraces her sexuality and some foul language without reservation. More power to Sabrina, but it means that parents of younger kids are running into a dilemma: Should you let your children and teens listen to Sabrina Carpenter? Here's what to know.
Is Sabrina Carpenter Appropriate for Kids?
Sabrina Carpenter is on the radio often enough that little ears probably recognize her most popular hits, but that doesn’t mean her music is great for all ages. Although her songs may sound bubbly and sweet, many contain innuendos and explicit language.
Take the upbeat "Juno," in which Sabrina sings about becoming pregnant with her partner's child; the title nods to the 2007 movie of the same name. Children might not fully grasp the hidden meanings behind the lyrics ("If you love me right, then who knows? I might let you make me Juno.") Putting the innuendos aside, though, "Juno" also has contains coarse language that's not appropriate for young ears.
Many other Sabrina Carpenter songs fit the same formula. For example, "Bed Chem" is all about intense sexual chemistry between lovers, and it's jam-packed with suggestive references. Even the hit "Please, Please, Please" is notorious for its swear word in the chorus—though you might be familiar with the clean version, which uses "little sucker" instead of the four-syllable curse.
Should Your Kids Listen to Her Music?
Every parent will have a different approach to determining what's appropriate for their children based on their family’s values . Before letting your kids listen to any new music (including Sabrina Carpenter tunes), play the songs for yourself, monitoring them for language and content. Then, "consider if your child is old enough to understand and process these themes,” says Holly Schiff , PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist.
If you feel Sabrina Carpenter isn't appropriate, but your children are begging to listen to her, look into "clean" versions of her songs. Also, some of Sabrina's older music doesn't contain innuendos or explicit language, so it could be a suitable alternative.
Dr. Schiff suggests using this opportunity to initiate a broader conversation with your kids. “Together, decide on limits for certain songs or themes, set boundaries, and perhaps curate a playlist or suggest alternatives that better align with your family's values,” she says.
What Age Is Best for Sabrina Carpenter?
The appropriate age for Sabrina Carpenter's music varies depending on your personal values and your child's maturity level. Schiff made a few points to consider when deciding if your child is ready to listen to Sabrina Carpenter.
Ages 6 to 9: Children this age probably shouldn’t be interacting with Sabrina's music at all. The beats might be catchy, but the language and themes aren’t appropriate for younger kids.
Ages 10 to 12: Around this age, parental guidance is essential, and previewing the music ahead of time makes a major difference. Before deciding to add Sabrina Carpenter to your family playlist , talk with your kids about mature themes and language. Some songs will be more appropriate than others, like the clean versions of "Espresso."
Ages 13 and up: Adolescents tend to be more mature and can better understand the themes in Sabrina Carpenter's music. Even though they'll catch onto the messages, it’s still important to keep an open line of communication with your kids in case they have questions about the lyrics, what they mean, or how they make them feel.
Key Takeaways
Sabrina Carpenter may have been a Disney star in Girl Meets World , but now she's a 25-year-old artist making music for adults. Parents can decide for themselves whether Sabrina's music is appropriate for their kids. As an alternative, you can also look into clean versions of her songs.
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