Fans call out Kourtney Kardashian over son’s safety on boat: Why parents still skip safety gear and the risks they’re taking |

Kourtney Kardashian Barker just dropped some sweet summer boat pics of her family, probably thinking they’d get the usual “so cute!” and “mom goals!” comments. But the internet had other plans. Instead, a wave of followers zoomed in on the fact that her 1-year-old son, Rocky Thirteen, wasn’t wearing a life jacket. Cue the mom-shaming, safety lectures, and heated debates in the comments section.Kourtney replied back to her fans. “Update: bought a life vest that fits.” She also wrote, “Good looking out. Honestly didn’t think about some of the dangers. Thank you for making me aware and hopefully this helps make other mommies aware of the dangers of certain types of boating without a life vest.” As per PEOPLE, she shared the post on her Instagram story.Now, celebrity or not, this isn’t new territory. Every summer, someone gets called out for letting their kids skip the safety gear, especially when there’s water involved. But it begs the question: why do so many parents still skip the life jacket rule, even when they know the risks?

The “it’s just a quick ride” mindset

One of the most common reasons parents give for skipping the vest?“It’s just a quick trip,” or “We’re not going far.” It’s like thinking you don’t need a seatbelt because you’re only driving around the block. But boating accidents and falls overboard happen in seconds—and often in calm, sunny weather when people least expect it.

Comfort vs. safety

Let’s be real, life jackets aren’t the comfiest thing for little ones. They’re bulky, they ride up, and toddlers aren’t exactly known for sitting still. Parents sometimes give in to whining or think, “I’ll just hold them.” But even the strongest swimmer or most attentive parent can’t always react in time if a child slips overboard.

The “I’m right here” illusion

A lot of parents believe that because they’re right next to their child, the risk is basically zero. But on a moving boat, distractions happen fast, adjusting a rope, grabbing a snack, answering a phone. That split-second of looking away is all it takes.Water safety experts say supervision is critical, but it’s never a substitute for a life jacket, especially for kids under 13. In fact, in the US and Canada, most provinces and states have laws requiring them.When it’s a Kardashian, the stakes get higher, not because the risks are any different, but because millions of followers are watching. Public figures are unofficial role models, whether they like it or not. When parents see celebrities skipping safety gear, it can normalize the idea that it’s “not a big deal.”

Why this matters more than you think

Here’s the thing, life jackets aren’t just for “non-swimmers” or “bad swimmers.” They’re for everyone, because cold water shock, boat wakes, or even a sudden lurch can throw anyone off balance. For kids, their small size means they can’t recover as easily if they hit the water.In Canada, drowning is the second-leading cause of death for kids under 5. In the US, it’s the leading cause of unintentional injury death for kids ages 1–4. Most of these tragedies are preventable with proper safety gear.