Topics: Instagram, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Parenting, Social Media, Reddit, US News, Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Kim Kardashian's eldest daughter North West has her social media debut at the age of 12, against the long-standing wishes of her estranged father Kanye West.
North has shared a TikTok account with her mother since the year of her split with the Graduation rapper in 2021, which caused West to blast his ex in a tirade: "I am her father, and I know y'all don't respect fathers and the idea of family, but I said I'm not allowing my daughter to be used by TikTok, to be used by Disney. I have a say so."
Now, four years later, it appears that North has been allowed to get an Instagram account, which has already racked up 400,000 followers since launching on Friday, with a blurry picture of the pre-teen accompanied by a caption simply stating, 'first post.'
The profile states in its description that it is 'managed by parents', though the extent of mom Kim's involvement in her daughter's account on the platform, which states that all users must be 13 or over, is unclear. But the decision to allow the 12-year-old an account has clearly divided Kardashian fans.
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Some who spotted North's new 'managed' profile pointed out on Kardashian-related Reddit pages that the move was clearly against the wishes of her father, but other users pointed out that absentee Ye 'doesn't get a say'.
The new public account also raised concerns about North being exposed to dangers online, which left one person perplexed. "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," a Reddit user said.
It is not the first time that the SKIMS founder's parenting style has come under fire from Kanye, or the internet. Last month she sparked a furore when images of North with several dermal piercings emerged, including one through one of her fingers. Kim simply commented underneath the post 'it's okay', after receiving flack from internet users.
While Kardashian, who shares four children with West, has not commented on her daughter's new account, she has previously defended her choices in the parenting of North and Saint, 10, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6.
"Kanye's constant attacks on me in interviews and on social media is actually more hurtful than any TikTok North might create," Kardashian previously shared on Instagram. "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."
She elaborated on this further in an October interview on the podcast 'Call Her Daddy,' saying that she wants to let North express herself creatively. She said: "It makes her so happy. I would never take that creativity away from her."
And, while the internet can be cruel, North apparently has a thick skin after growing up under a constant spotlight. Her mom said: "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.'"
