A red carpet surprise that wasn’t about Kim

When Kim Kardashian stepped onto the DVF Awards red carpet in Venice last month, all eyes were on her sleek black silk gown and the prestigious award she was receiving. But in true Kardashian fashion, it wasn’t Kim who ended up dominating headlines. Instead, it was her 12-year-old daughter, North West, who appeared to be sporting a dermal piercing on her finger, an accessory choice that lit up social media faster than the paparazzi flashes.

Within hours, TikTok and Reddit were buzzing with close-up shots of North’s hand, with fans, critics, and confused parents weighing in. Was it real? Was it a clip-on? And more importantly, was it appropriate for a tween?

Dermal piercings 101: more than just a “cute accessory”

For the uninitiated, dermal piercings (sometimes called microdermals) are not your run-of-the-mill ear studs. Unlike earrings, which pass through the skin, dermals involve anchoring jewellery underneath the skin, leaving only a small decorative top visible.

Body modification professionals are clear on one thing: dermals are high-maintenance. They can easily snag, get infected, or be rejected by the body altogether. Los Angeles piercer Brian Keith Thompson explained in an interview that he refuses to perform them on anyone under 18, even with parental consent, because kids simply don’t have the maturity or consistency to care for them during the long healing process.

In fact, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) advises against dermals for minors altogether, citing risks like scarring and rejection.

@kyliekfg Iconics #kimkardashian #northwest #parati ♬ sonido original – K🤍

The internet reacts: parenting or permissiveness?

Naturally, the internet had opinions. Some users praised Kim for letting North explore self-expression, while others slammed the decision as reckless.

“Any piercer who would do this on a child should have their license revoked,” one Redditor fumed. Others shrugged it off as another Kardashian stunt designed to spark conversation.

It wouldn’t be the first time Kim’s parenting style made headlines. Just weeks earlier, she stirred controversy when she told Kai Cenat during a livestream that she doesn’t believe in homework. “Kids are in school for eight hours. When they come home, they should do sports, live life, and spend time with family,” she said.

Her sister Kourtney Kardashian echoed similar sentiments on a podcast, questioning whether traditional schooling was even necessary.

The bigger picture: celebrity parenting under a microscope

Here’s the thing: being a Kardashian kid means growing up faster than most. Every outfit, every hairstyle, every statement becomes public debate. Parenting in that spotlight is messy—and permissive parenting, the style often associated with Kim and Kourtney, tends to amplify the criticism.

Developmental psychologists like Diana Baumrind have long studied parenting styles, ranging from strict and structured (authoritative) to lenient and freedom-first (permissive). Celebrities often lean toward the latter, encouraging individuality but sometimes blurring boundaries around what kids are ready for.

And it’s not just an American phenomenon. Here in South Africa, Khanyi Mbau faced similar criticism when she revealed her teenage daughter was living alone in her own apartment at just 15. Progressive parenting is gaining traction globally, but it consistently divides opinion, especially when it plays out in the public eye.

Lessons for parents navigating the tween years

Whether you side with Kim or not, the piercing saga holds some takeaways for any parent navigating the tricky tween years:

1. Understand the risks. Kids’ hygiene habits aren’t always reliable, and complex piercings demand serious care.

2. Build responsibility step by step. Simple ear piercings can be a safe “training ground” before more advanced modifications.

3. Balance freedom with boundaries. Autonomy is important, but so is protecting children from irreversible decisions.

4. Acknowledge cultural influence. From TikTok trends to celebrity kids, young people are always watching and comparing.

So, did North really get the piercing?

That’s still up for debate. Some argue it may have been a clip-on or a temporary piece, especially given the backlash. But whether it was real or not almost doesn’t matter anymore. The conversation it sparked, about parenting, boundaries, and the speed at which kids are growing up, shows just how much influence celebrity families wield over cultural norms.

And in true Kardashian fashion, maybe that was the point all along.