Piper Rockelle is 14 years old, but she’s not your average teenager. She has her own YouTube channel with over 8 million subscribers. She also has over 4.8 million followers on Instagram.
Rockelle has been on YouTube since she was 8 year old. Her videos are mainly funny. For example, she participates in challenges and pranks. She’s also a singer and posts music videos.
Recently, singer Pink tweeted about Rockelle, but the tweet wasn’t flattering. Instead, it was a slam at Rockelle’s parents. Pink wrote, “How many kids like Piper Rockelle are being exploited by their parents? And at what point do the rest of us say … ‘this isn’t okay for a 13 yr old to be posing in a bikini whilst her MOTHER takes the photo?!?!'”
How many kids like Piper Rockelle are being exploited by their parents? And at what point do the rest of us say … “this isn’t okay for a 13 yr old to be posing in a bikini whilst her MOTHER takes the photo?!?!”
— P!nk (@Pink) August 29, 2021
The tweet seemed to be referring to pictures of Rockelle in a bikini on her Instagram account which is “managed by Family.” We can only assume that means the account is managed by her parents who must have taken, approved of and posted the pictures.
Not everyone agreed with Pink that the photos were inappropriate.
Hey pink,do u know we are on 2021 right? Everyone is allowed to wear what they want,luckily in Latin America kids of 2 years old wear bikinis without being explotaded if u sexualise it then u have a problem. Anyways u are right about she’s exploted by her mother and hunter+
— CANDE|| PROUD OF TATE (@Bailopalali) August 30, 2021
Some of Pink’s followers did agree with her and pointed out that the bikini photos of Rockelle are not the only inappropriate ones. The comment explained that it’s not about what Rockelle is wearing by how she’s posing.
Bikinis aren’t inherently sexual. Neither are crop tops or shorts. The posing is what makes it sexual & the someone recognizing that it’s inappropriate doesn’t have the issue. It’s not age appropriate and her parents should be held responsible. pic.twitter.com/gL9FpOBgR7
— Myah ❀ Lu (@myah_lu) September 1, 2021
In a statement sent to Insider, Rockelle explained her take on Pink’s comment. She wrote, “My mom doesn’t make me do anything. In terms of me in swimsuits, it’s summer! My friends and I live in the water.”
Rockelle told Insider, “Pictures of teenagers in bikinis having fun are not sexual. They’re only sexual if you view us that way.”
Unfortunately, perhaps that’s what Pink was referring to. One comment on Pink’s tweet explained that photos of teens in bikinis don’t end up in good places.
Whether these adults know it or not, admit it or not, care or not, they are complicit in the exploitation of underage girls. I’ve seen where these pics end up. These images of young teen + pre teen girls are not ‘modelling’ pics. They’re masturbation material for predators.
— LSKennedy (@LSKennedy5) August 31, 2021
In defense of her parenting, Piper Rockelle’s mom, Tiffany Rockelle, told Insider, “I’m just a mom like any other who loves her daughter and would do anything for her.”
Do you think it’s inappropriate for parents to take pictures of their teens in bikinis? Do you think Rockelle’s photos are inappropriate?