North West debuts on Instagram as Kardashian-West family navigates social media boundaries
The 12-year-old posts her first photo under her own name; Kanye West has long argued against children’s use of social platforms.
North West, 12, made her Instagram debut Friday under her own name, posting a blurry, fashion-forward image to kick off the account. The post is captioned 'first post' and the bio states the account is supervised by her parents. North's father, Kanye West, 48, has long argued that his children should not be on social media, saying he is not allowing his daughter to be used by TikTok.
North wore a black Balenciaga 01 short-sleeve jersey paired with a black ribbed miniskirt, multiple necklaces and bracelets, and tall black boots with silver chains wrapped around her legs. The account’s bio notes supervision by parents, but it is unclear how much influence West will have over future posts, given his past opposition to media exposure for their children.
Last October, North shared videos on the TikTok account she and Kim Kardashian run together, including looks with fake face tattoos, a nose piercing, grillz, blue braids and blue contact lenses. A clip of Kanye from March 2022 resurfaced in October, where he stated he would not allow his daughter to be used by TikTok and urged Kim to stop antagonizing him about the platform.
Kim Kardashian, who has described herself as the family's main caregiver, defended North's online presence, saying she aims to protect their daughter while allowing her to express creativity with adult supervision. In a lengthy statement, Kardashian said that as the parent who is the main provider and caregiver for their children, she is trying to balance protection with allowing North to pursue her interests online, “because it brings her happiness.”
Reaction on social media has been mixed. Some commenters argue Kanye’s concerns are warranted as a precaution against the pressures of fame and the digital ecosystem that profits from attention, while others view his public opposition as hypocritical given the family's high-profile public life. The broader conversation continues about how much guidance celebrities should provide for their children on platforms that amplify youth culture and scrutiny.
North West’s Instagram debut adds another chapter to the ongoing discussion about child safety, parental boundaries, and the evolving role of social media in celebrity families.