That North West outfit, Kim Kardashian's TikTok and why it's none of our business

North West is having a rough week. Everyone's chatting about her on social media after Kim Kardashian posted a video of her 12-year-old daughter wearing a corset. Kardashian turned the comments off on the video, which is shared to her and North's joint TikTok account.

Social media users – as they are wont to do – weighed in anyway with mixed opinions. A user on X wrote: "its concerning you think strapless corsets are worn by 12 year olds. North West does not dress her age but its her momma and daddy's fault..." Another added: "It pains me to remember North West is 12 years old."

Others, however, called out the critics. "a lot of y'all should be ashamed at how y'all are talking about North West and other young girls," an X user wrote. "Like these are children that are expressing themselves through clothing and creativity!" Another shared support: "Watching North West live out my childhood dream of complete freedom of expression." (The video below includes some NSFW language.)

Whatever you think at first glance, remember that you are not North West, nor are you her parent, and it's critical to pause before we voice opinions about kids online − even celebrity kids.

"Since birth, North West has been thrust into the spotlight, publicly analyzed and used as a pawn to advance intrusive fodder about Kim Kardashian and Ye’s parenting abilities," says Melvin Williams, associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University.

'Our collective tendency to project meanings onto clothing'

North West was destined for the tabloids. Consider her parents, Kardashian and Kanye "Ye" West.

The criticism of North West’s fashion choices is a prime example of how mainstream media tends to treat celebrity children, Williams says. The public often denies "their childhood innocence and subjects them to a sexualized gaze," he adds.

"What honestly strikes me most is not actually North’s clothing choice, but the intense media scrutiny around it," says Lauren Downing Peters, PhD and author of "Fashion Before Plus-Size." "The commentary we’re seeing online in recent days reveals our collective tendency to project meanings onto clothing, often in ways that tell us more about our own anxieties than about the garment or the wearer."

Author Leora Tanenbaum spent six years talking to girls and young women all about their clothing choices. What did they have to say? "They told me repeatedly that most of the time they are not trying to be sexy and don't think of their attire as having anything to do with sex," says Tanenbaum, who has written books such as "I Am Not a Slut: Slut-Shaming in the Age of the Internet." "Rather, they are standing up for themselves." Otherwise, they are picking outfits they're comfortable wearing. "When you're constantly judged over your looks, just feeling comfortable in public is no easy feat," she adds.

Williams also points out the racial elements at play here. "Black girls are often sexualized and stereotyped on the basis of fashion choices, a factor that makes North West’s critics empowered to label her as 'inappropriate' or 'too grown' for simply adorning herself as an aspiring fashion designer," he adds.

'Let's all calm down'

What happens now?

Remember that North West is just starting her adolescence. "Kids are under enough scrutiny without strangers weighing in on their appearance," adds Lorynn Divita, associate professor of apparel design and merchandising at Baylor University. What she wears isn't your business.

"Ultimately, people should focus on their households and allow minors to comfortably and safely experiment with fashion under parental supervision," Williams says.

Tanenbaum agrees and suggests people consider the systemic problem at hand: "Let's all calm down and stop pointing fingers at girls for looking 'inappropriate.' Let's redirect our concern to the rampant sexual objectification and violation of bodily autonomy that girls face every day."