A recent social media post shared by Scott Disick has sparked heated debate online after some viewers accused the reality TV star’s daughter, Penelope Disick, of making an offensive gesture in a photo taken at a restaurant.
The image quickly began circulating across social media platforms, with internet users divided over whether the moment was harmless or insensitive.
Scott, best known for appearing on Keeping Up With the Kardashians alongside former partner Kourtney Kardashian Barker, shares three children with Kourtney: Mason, Penelope, and Reign.
The Photo That Triggered Backlash
In the now-viral image, Penelope appeared to be pulling up around her eyes while posing for a photo beside her father at what many identified as an Asian restaurant.
Some social media users interpreted the gesture as mimicking East Asian eye features, a stereotype historically associated with racist mockery toward Asian communities.
Critics pointed out that chopsticks and Asian dishes visible on the table added to the controversy, leading some commenters to accuse the post of being culturally insensitive.
“It’s a parent’s responsibility to teach a kid to do the right thing,” one user wrote online, while others criticized the image as offensive.
Others Defended Penelope
At the same time, many fans defended Penelope, arguing that she is still a child and likely had no understanding of the interpretation people attached to the gesture.
Several commenters suggested she was simply making a silly or exaggerated facial expression for the camera rather than intentionally mocking anyone.
Others also argued that social media users were too quick to assume racist intent from a child’s behavior without context.
One commenter identifying as Chinese wrote that the gesture did not resemble the offensive stereotype people were accusing her of making.
The Kardashian Family Often Faces Parenting Criticism
This is not the first time posts involving Scott and Kourtney’s children have generated online backlash.
Over the years, the Kardashian family has repeatedly faced criticism from social media users over parenting decisions, photos, and videos involving the children.
Kourtney previously received backlash after sharing photos of son Reign making rude hand gestures, while another post sparked debate after fans noticed the children riding in a vintage convertible without modern seat belts.
Social Media Reactions Continue To Divide Fans
The latest controversy once again highlights how quickly online debates can escalate, particularly when celebrity children are involved.
While some viewers felt the photo deserved criticism because of the historical context surrounding anti-Asian stereotypes, others argued the backlash unfairly targeted a young child over what may have been an innocent pose.
Neither Scott Disick nor members of the Kardashian family publicly responded to the controversy.
As the discussion continues online, the viral moment has become another example of how celebrity social media posts can rapidly spark larger conversations about culture, parenting, and intent.
