Kelly Clarkson, the Grammy-winning singer and beloved host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, has never shied away from speaking her truth, whether through her music or her candid discussions about motherhood. In 2025, her parenting choices have sparked a heated debate, reigniting conversations about discipline, digital boundaries, and raising children under the intense scrutiny of fame. Clarkson, a single mother to daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington, 9, following her 2020 divorce from Brandon Blackstock, has made headlines for her controversial stance on spanking and her strict ban on social media for her children, even when they’re with their father. Her unapologetic approach—rooted in her Southern upbringing and a desire to keep her kids grounded—has fans praising her authenticity while critics question her methods. As Clarkson navigates the challenges of parenting in the public eye, her choices reveal a deeper commitment to shielding her children from fame’s pressures and fostering resilience in a digital age.

The Spanking Controversy

In 2018, Clarkson stirred controversy during a radio interview with Atlanta’s 94.1, admitting she disciplines her children with spanking, a method she experienced growing up in Texas. “I’m from the South, y’all, so we get spankings,” she said. “My parents spanked me, and I did fine in life, and I feel fine about it.” Emphasizing that she doesn’t “hit hard” and always warns her children—particularly River—beforehand, Clarkson described spanking as a light tap on the bottom to curb misbehavior. “I’m like, ‘Hi, I’m going to spank you on your bottom if you don’t stop right now, this is ridiculous,’ and honestly, it’s really helped,” she told the station.

The comments, resurfaced in 2023 and still circulating in 2025, sparked a firestorm on social media. Supporters, including some Southern parents, defended her, with one X user writing, “Kelly’s just keeping it real. Spanking worked for a lot of us, and her kids seem happy.” An ABC News poll cited in 2018 found 62% of American parents approve of spanking in principle, with half admitting they use it occasionally. However, critics were vocal, calling her approach “lazy parenting” and “abusive.” One X post read, “Spanking is abuse, full stop. Someone tell Kelly Clarkson.” Another user referenced her songs like “Because of You,” questioning, “How are you gonna write about heartbreak and then hit your kids?” The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against spanking, stating it promotes aggression and loses effectiveness over time, potentially leading to mental health issues or lower IQ.

Clarkson addressed the backlash in a 2018 Good Morning America interview, acknowledging the controversy but standing firm. “It’s a tricky thing when you’re in public, ’cause people think that’s wrong, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking,” she said, stressing her Southern roots shaped her views. Psychotherapist Amy Morin told Business Insider that spanking sends a “confusing message” about hitting, a view echoed by critics who argue it models aggression rather than teaching problem-solving. Despite the debate, Clarkson’s transparency about her methods—used sparingly and with warning—has resonated with fans who admire her refusal to bow to public pressure.

The Social Media Ban

In a more universally praised move, Clarkson has enforced a strict no-social-media policy for River and Remington until they’re 18, a rule she upholds even when they’re with Blackstock. In a January 2024 People interview, she explained, “That can be really hard on kids in general, but especially kids with parents in the public eye.” She noted that social media’s pressures are amplified for children of celebrities, citing cyberbullying and unrealistic expectations. Blackstock, who co-parents with Clarkson, agrees with the ban, ensuring consistency across households. “I’ll listen when they’re older, but until they have a solid argument, it’s a no,” Clarkson told People.

Parenting organizations like MomCo International and the National Association for Child Development have lauded her decision. MomCo told TMZ, “We love that Kelly is making this bold decision for her kids and hope it helps parents normalize letting kids be kids without the pressure of a digital life.” The AAP recommends limiting screen time for children, noting that excessive social media use can lead to anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem, particularly in teens. Clarkson’s stance aligns with other celebrity parents like Matthew McConaughey, who delayed social media access for his son until age 15.

Fans have applauded Clarkson’s resolve, with one X post stating, “Kelly’s protecting her kids from the toxic side of fame. Respect.” However, some critics argue the ban is overly strict, potentially isolating her children from peers. A 2024 Parents article noted that over half of youths have social media accounts before age 13, making Clarkson’s rule an outlier. Yet, her commitment to fostering “3-D” life skills over digital validation has struck a chord, especially as she encourages open communication with her kids, who have expressed sadness about their parents’ divorce but feel safe being honest.

Parenting in the Glare of Fame

Raising River and Remington in the spotlight presents unique challenges for Clarkson. Her 2020 divorce from Blackstock, finalized in 2022, was emotionally taxing, with her children expressing a desire for “mommy and daddy in the same house.” Clarkson has prioritized honesty, telling People, “I want them to be candid. I don’t ever say, ‘Oh god, don’t tell me that.’” Her approach contrasts with the public scrutiny she faces, where every parenting choice is dissected. “It’s hard to discipline in the public eye because of what’s deemed socially acceptable,” she said in 2018.

Clarkson’s Southern roots influence her parenting, emphasizing structure and accountability. Beyond spanking, she uses time-outs and privilege removal, aligning with AAP recommendations for older children. Her home is a sanctuary where she fosters creativity—River and Remington often join her in the studio, and she’s shared videos of them singing together on The Kelly Clarkson Show. To shield them from fame’s pressures, she limits their public exposure, rarely posting their faces on social media and keeping them off platforms entirely. “I’m raising individuals who know who they are outside of my name,” she told Parade in 2024.

Her divorce has also shaped her parenting, forcing her to balance co-parenting with Blackstock while maintaining consistency. The social media ban, for instance, required alignment with Blackstock, showing her commitment to unified rules. Clarkson’s openness about the emotional toll of divorce, shared in her 2023 album Chemistry, has resonated with fans, who see her parenting as an extension of her authenticity. “She’s not pretending to be perfect,” one X user wrote. “That’s why we love her.”

The Debate: Fans vs. Critics

Clarkson’s parenting style has polarized audiences. Supporters see her as relatable, with one Business Insider commenter stating, “If parents spanked their kids more, they wouldn’t grow up acting like monsters.” Others, particularly younger parents, view spanking as outdated, with a Reddit user noting, “Spanking is still common in the South, but calling it abuse gets you laughed at. I hope it’s phased out.” Critics argue that Clarkson’s “I turned out fine” logic ignores studies linking spanking to aggression and mental health issues. Meanwhile, her social media ban has drawn near-universal praise, with parenting groups and fans alike applauding her protective stance. “Kelly’s setting an example for digital boundaries,” a TMZ commenter said.

The debate reflects broader cultural shifts. While spanking was once widely accepted—62% of parents approved in a 2016 Gallup poll—modern parenting leans toward non-physical discipline. Clarkson’s willingness to stand by her choices, even when controversial, mirrors her defiance of industry norms, from rejecting label pressures to embracing her post-divorce vulnerability. Her fans admire this, with one X post reading, “Kelly doesn’t care what haters think. She’s raising good kids her way.”

The Reasons Behind Her Choices

Clarkson’s parenting is driven by a desire to instill resilience and authenticity in River and Remington. Her Southern upbringing, where spanking was a norm, informs her belief in clear boundaries, but she’s adapted to modern parenting by emphasizing communication and emotional safety. The social media ban stems from her awareness of fame’s toll—having faced body-shaming and scrutiny herself, she wants her children to develop self-worth offline. “Kids with famous parents get it worse,” she told People, citing cyberbullying risks. Her divorce has also heightened her focus on stability, ensuring her kids feel secure despite their split household.

Clarkson’s choices aren’t about perfection but about what she believes works for her family. “I’m not raising perfect kids—I’m raising real ones,” she said on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2024. Her generosity, seen in acts like paying a Voice contestant’s rent, extends to her parenting, where she prioritizes her children’s emotional and financial security over public approval.

A Grounded Approach in the Spotlight

Clarkson’s parenting style—controversial yet heartfelt—reflects her journey from a small-town Texan to a global star. Her spanking stance, while divisive, is tempered by her emphasis on love and communication, and her social media ban has positioned her as a forward-thinking parent in a digital age. As she balances The Kelly Clarkson Show, her music career, and motherhood, Clarkson remains unapologetic, telling Good Morning America, “I’m doing my best, and my kids know they’re loved.” For fans, her authenticity is her strength, while critics challenge her to evolve. Either way, Clarkson’s parenting choices have sparked a conversation about discipline, digital boundaries, and the courage to parent on your own terms in the glare of fame.