Influencer Defends ‘Unsafe’ Activity Allowed for Her 14-Year-Old Daughter

Influencer Kat Clark has hit back after she was called ‘irresponsible’ for letting her youngest daughter fly solo around the US.

Kat, who moved to America last year with husband Jonathan and youngest daughter Deja, 14, took to TikTok to defend her decision.

She allowed Deja to fly to another state to attend a concert with friends.

Kat explained that she was much different to her daughter when she was 14. 

‘So, a lot of people have made it clear that they don’t like my style of parenting. Recently Deja took her first solo flight to another state to attend a concert with her friends,’ she said.

‘Deja is 14 about to turn 15, and when I think about myself at her age, we were not the same.

‘If you guys only knew what I did at 14, 15, 16 – I mean, I was pregnant at 16, you can only imagine.’

She added that coming from a strict household had prompted her to take a more relaxed approach with her children. 

‘That’s not to say we don’t have rules – we definitely have rules, but we’re more open, I guess,’ she said.

‘When I was a teen I ran away from home several times and my parents had no idea where I was.’

Kat added that all bases were covered were covered before Deja’s departure.

‘Deja went away, I knew where she was all the time, I knew the parents, I had their contact details,’ she said.

‘In my opinion, having a child that feels comfortable enough to ask me…to go, instead of hiding things from me, that’s the kinds of relationship I want with my kid.’

It was a sentiment she also shared in the original clip, which has since clocked 2.5 million views.

‘Do you know how many kids fly without their parents? A lot. So much so that the airline actually has a ticket you can buy called an unaccompanied minor. She is never alone, she is always with a flight attendant,’ Kat said.

‘Teenagers need to learn how to do things themselves, otherwise we will be raising a whole bunch of annoying adults.’ 

Followers were quick to call Kat out, claiming it was unsafe to allow her 14-year-old to fly solo. 

‘And now 7.7 million people know that Deja is travelling alone tomorrow and the location of where she is heading,’ one commented.

 Another added: ‘Isn’t she like 14? I would’ve said no and not because I don’t think she can’t handle herself but I simply don’t trust people around a solo 14-year-old girl.’

It wasn’t all criticism though, with one follower adding: ‘Guys, I flew by myself when I was 10 it’s OK,’ while another wrote: ‘Guys, Deja is Kat’s daughter so she knows best for her.’ 

It comes after Kat announced a shock move to the US, with Deja and husband Jonathan, back in April.

She explained that the move would be a challenge, as she would have to make new friends and leave her eldest daughter Latisha, 21, in Queensland.

‘Australia is a beautiful country. We have free healthcare, the best beaches, amazing people. And if I’m being completely honest, there’s a huge part of me that doesn’t want to go,’ she told followers at the time.

‘But there’s also a part of me that’s feeling curious… and I don’t want to have any regrets.’

She explained she’s had some opportunities in America and is ‘going to give it a go’ but admitted she is ‘scared’.

‘I really hope you guys understand, because if I’m being honest, I need all the support I can get. This is scary,’ Kat said. 

Meanwhile, Kat sparked controversy last year, following the launch of her debut skincare line Kalade. 

The image, which was used to advertise the $120 Kalade ‘OG Kit’, Latisha and Deja are seen posing with their middle fingers raised towards the camera.

The Kalade Instagram page shared a photograph of a customer’s online complaint about the ad, which read: ‘I hate this because the girls in the picture are sticking the middle finger.’

Kalade replied with the caption ‘Womp womp’—a slang term for a minor disappointment or annoyance.