Kim Kardashian has been criticized over her parenting choices after her 12‑year‑old daughter, North West, launched her own Instagram account, a move that appears to go directly against the wishes of her estranged father, Kanye West.
North’s new account went live on Friday (December 19) and quickly attracted attention, racking up around 400,000 followers in a short time.
Her first post featured a stylishly blurry photo of the pre‑teen with the simple caption, “first post," and the account bio states that it is “managed by parents,” though questions remain about how much oversight is actually involved.
The decision immediately divided fans.
Some accused the SKIMS mogul of flat-out ignoring West's concerns, while others focused on the broader risks of letting a child that young onto a platform known for adult content.
One Reddit user wrote, “Can’t wrap my head around the fact that Kim is not scared of the grown ass men on the internet. Truly I can’t understand," while an X user added: "North West just made her first Instagram post. She is 12."
The 'DONDA' rapper has been vocal for years about his opposition to his daughter being on social media.
His frustration peaked in 2022 when a then‑eight‑year‑old North posted a TikTok video with cousin Penelope Disick, lip-syncing to Machine Gun Kelly’s “Emo Girl.”
"Hey everybody, I just got off the phone with Kim, and I told her to stop antagonizing me with this TikTok thing," he said at the time.
"I am her father," he continued.
"I know y’all don’t respect fathers and the idea of family, and the media tries to promote something. I said, 'I'm not allowing my daughter to be used by TikTok, to be used by Disney.’ I have a say so."
At the time, the reality TV star, who shares four children with West, later addressed his comments on her Instagram Stories, writing: “Kanye's constant attacks on me in interviews and on social media is actually more hurtful than any TikTok North might create.”
She added: “As the parent who is the main provider and caregiver for our children, I am doing my best to protect our daughter while also allowing her to express her creativity in the medium that she wishes with adult supervision - because it brings her happiness,” per Too Fab.
She echoed those thoughts during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast in October, explaining her commitment to letting North express her creative side.
“It makes her so happy. I would never take that creativity away from her,” she said.
According to Kardashian, North has also developed a thick skin growing up in the public eye.
“She'll be like, ‘Mum, I saw this, and I don't really care if someone says they don't like my blue hair, or my this or that.’”