North West's Viral Halloween Costume Has Everyone Talking About Kids And Screen Time
Not everyone thinks dressing as a Twitch personality is Halloween material.
Halloween brings out creativity in everyone, but when you're part of the Kardashian-West family, your costume choices tend to make headlines...and we mean every single year!
North West, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, recently shared her latest Halloween look on TikTok, and it's sparked a conversation nobody saw coming.
Unlike most kids her age who might dress up as superheroes, Disney characters, or classic Halloween staples, North went in a completely different direction this year.
Her past costumes have always been impressive. Two years ago, she nailed a pitch-perfect Dionne Davenport from Clueless while Kim matched her energy as Cher Horowitz.
Last year, she cycled through three different looks: Tyler, the Creator, in a blue suit and blonde bob, H.E.R. in a latex catsuit with a red guitar, and Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.
Each one was detailed, creative, and celebrated across social media. The Kardashian kids have always had access to influences most children don't, which makes their costume choices all the more telling.
This year, though, North chose someone far less expected, and the internet had a lot to say about it. Keep reading to find out who she dressed as and why it's causing such a stir.
North West pulled off a "Tyler, the Creator" costume a year ago
TikTok / @kimandnorthThis year, she recreated streamer Kai Cenat’s look
TikTok / @kimandnorthNorth's latest Halloween costume was revealed on TikTok, where she appeared alongside two friends dressed as Twitch streamer Kai Cenat. She wore a grey blazer, white shirt, red tie, a dreadlocked wig, and even a fake beard to complete the look.
Her friends dressed as Cenat's collaborators, Ray and Tota MC, making it a full group cosplay. For those unfamiliar, Kai Cenat is a 23-year-old YouTuber and internet personality known for his comedic live streams.
He's the most-subscribed Twitch streamer in the world with over 19 million followers, and he even attended North's birthday party last year, which raised eyebrows at the time.
Pediatricians like Dr. Harvey Karp advocate for age-appropriate Halloween costumes that reflect children's interests without overemphasizing online personas. They warn that dressing as social media influencers can blur the lines of reality for young kids, potentially leading to unhealthy comparisons.
Instead, experts recommend encouraging costumes that celebrate creativity and imagination, steering clear of commercialized personas.
Parental guidance is crucial here; they should foster discussions about the meaning behind costumes, emphasizing individuality over social media validation.
Promoting traditional costumes or character-based themes can enhance children's self-esteem and creativity while reducing the influence of social media trends.
North's latest costume stirred up the internet
TikTok / @kimandnorth
Understanding Kids and Screen Time
Dr. Dan Siegel, a prominent child psychiatrist, emphasizes the importance of balancing screen time with real-world interactions to foster emotional and social development in children.
He suggests that parents should engage in meaningful dialogues about media consumption, creating an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences.
Dr. Siegel's research indicates that setting specific time limits while encouraging outdoor play and family activities can help mitigate the negative effects of excessive screen exposure.
For instance, integrating tech-free family game nights or outdoor excursions can enhance bonding while reducing screen dependency.
While some people thought the costume was clever and well-executed, others weren't as enthusiastic. The criticism wasn't really about the costume itself but what it represents.
To some, it felt like proof that kids today are consuming content meant for adults instead of age-appropriate entertainment.
One person on X wrote: "Kids don't watch cartoons anymore, they watch Twitch, that's actually insane to me." Another added: "Bro, we're one generation away from influencers cosplaying their fans."
A particularly concerned commenter said: "Kids watching Twitch instead of cartoons? That's just another sign of how we're failing to protect their innocence. Streaming culture is turning them into mini-adults before they even understand the world."
They continued: "Maybe it's time we start questioning why we're letting influencers shape their childhoods instead of educators and storytellers."
Check out the TikTok
On the flip side, plenty of people defended North's choice and praised the accuracy of the costume. One fan gushed: "North West just dropped the hardest collab of 2025 - Kai, Tota, Ray cosplay on POINT—Twitch kids eating cartoons for breakfast now."
Another commented: "The true measure of cultural relevance in 2025. When the kids of billionaires dress up as popular YouTubers/Twitch streamers instead of superheroes or pop stars. Kai Cenat is officially a certified cultural icon. The accuracy on this costume is insane."
Someone else added: "Kids out here doing the most accurate cosplay of the year. The level of dedication to get all the mannerisms right is actually impressive."
What started as a simple Halloween costume has turned into a much bigger conversation about how kids consume media and what influences shape their childhoods.
Some see North's choice as harmless fun and a reflection of her genuine interests. Others view it as a troubling shift away from traditional childhood entertainment.
Whether you think it's creative or concerning, it's clear that Halloween costumes are now major cultural statements.
What's your take on North's costume? Is it just a kid having fun, or does it reflect something bigger about growing up in the digital age?
Building Healthier Patterns
As we navigate the complexities of parenting in a digital age, experts emphasize the need for balance between online engagement and real-life experiences.
Encouraging children to express themselves through thoughtful costume choices while establishing healthy screen time habits can significantly enhance their overall development.
With guidance from professionals like Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Harvey Karp, parents can create a nurturing environment that values creativity and authentic connections over fleeting social media trends.
Ultimately, fostering open communication about these topics will empower children to make healthier choices.