The Spice Girl, 40, admitted that, despite the fact Scarlet, 5, is a fan of Rihanna's, there's just too much flesh-flashing in her videos.
She said: "My girl Scarlet is a big fan of Rihanna, but I won't let her watch the videos – they're too sexual.
"I protect my daughter from it while I can, but she's growing up fast."
Mel and her Spice Girl band mates, Victoria Beckham, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell, were known for their championing of 'Girl Power'.
But Mel thinks that, rather than empowering women, artists like Rihanna actually objectify them.
Speaking to the Mirror, Mel continued: "For me it's almost like what we did with girl power has gone too far the other way, which defeats the object.
"I appreciate that it's a different generation now, but I don't consider that empowering."
Mel also hit back at those suggesting that Spice Girls also wore skimpy outfits and performed raunchy dance routines.
She said: "It's a long time ago since the Spice Girls were first together and we were criticised for being sexual.
"Yes, we wore crop tops, I mean look how much has changed."