Usher is opening up about parenting in the digital age, and he’s doing it with the two people who know him best: his teenage sons, Cinco, 18, and Naviyd, 17.
The trio appear in the debut episode of Instagram’s new family series, Carversations, which highlights “the real, thoughtful exchanges families have about technology, social media, and growing up in today’s digital world.”
With teenagers often more likely to talk when they’re not face to face, the conversation takes place during a car ride. As they drive, Usher reflects on how different things were when his sons were younger.
“We used to ride around in the van everywhere when you guys were 6, 7, 8 years old,” he reminisces.
To which his son Cinco responds, “Did you just say 6–7?”
One of the biggest topics Usher raises during the drive is online safety. He tells his sons he appreciates Instagram’s Teen Accounts, explaining, “I don’t want my kid to see something that I didn’t choose to allow them to see.”
Knowing they’re exposed only to age-appropriate content helps the Grammy Award-winning singer feel like he’s raising, as he puts it, “future adults.”
The conversation then turns to screen time and quickly becomes a playful family exchange.
“I don’t really use Instagram that much,” Naviyd says.
Usher fires back, “What?! You’re using Instagram more than all of us put together!”
Naviyd responds, “No I don’t… that’s a whole lie.”
Cinco chimes in, “Actually no one uses it more than you, Dad. You know how many Reels you be sending me?”
He also admits he gets locked out after 15 minutes on the app. Usher calls that limit “ideal,”
Usher also reflects during their “carversation” on how much easier it is for young artists today to connect and collaborate through social media.
“If you’re using Instagram in that way, it’s good. It gives you access to people that you never thought you’d be able to talk to in hopes they would respond,” he says.
