Lorde has thrown her support behind provocative pop stars such as Rihanna and Miley Cyrus, insisting the depiction of violence in popular culture is a bigger threat to teenage girls than saucy semi-naked singers.

The Royals hitmaker, 17, has waded into the debate over whether pop stars with overtly sexual on-stage personas have a negative impact on impressionable young fans.

However, Lorde is adamant the glorification of guns is a much more serious issue than famous females who strip off.

She tells British newspaper the London Evening Standard, "People should stop worrying about their daughters. I don't see a female without clothing as a terrible influence. There are worse things. Shooting people. Glorifying violence."

Rihanna has garnered particular criticism for her raunchy outfits, sexy music videos and saucy social media profiles, but Lorde insists she is a big fan of the Umbrella hitmaker's "fearless" image.

She adds, "You can't not look at Rihanna. I would buy anything Rihanna sold me. The way Rihanna embodies being a sexual woman... She's so fearless and confident, I just love her."