Nose Cover Trend: What Makes This Gen Z Craze Impossible To Ignore?

Get ready to decipher a new code, folks. The latest trend sweeping the internet, particularly among Gen Z, has left many adults bewildered and scratching their heads—the 'Nose Cover' trend. It's exactly what it sounds like: teenagers playfully covering their noses with their hands in photos, especially group pictures.

But why? What does it mean? Fear not, curious minds, for we're here to unpack this phenomenon. It is no different than the millennials' trend of pouting in pictures and making peace signs; it is another picture trend that  GenZ has been following after blurry pictures and hidden face trends. But why is this trend something to give some thought to?

Nose Cover; New Gen Z Trend Taking Over The Internet

Every Gen Z is seen hopping onto this trend, including the 14-year-old daughter of boxer Tyler Fury, Venenzula. The teenager is seen in a family photograph hiding her face, shared by her mom, Paris Fury while her niece is also seen hiding her face, which triggered the discussion on the trend.

Baffled by the latest trend, many curious parents tried to dig in and have an open conversation with their children to understand the reason behind it, with concerns about whether it has something to do with the self-consciousness in regards to looks experienced by puberty-hitting teens or whether they are getting bullied.

This trend also made many parents wonder if their teenagers were too ashamed to be seen and captured around the family. While other parents were infuriated by their kids "ruining" the family pictures by hiding their faces with the "nose pose,"

Potential Reason Behind The 'Nose Pose'

• Avoiding Unflattering Photos: Let's be honest, no one wants their awkward teenage years immortalized online. I remember watching my old Facebook profile created when I was just 12 and wish I had no access to social media until turning 16, as I still feel cringe and recall not being aware of "sharing too much.".  But covering their noses could be a way for teens to avoid potentially unflattering photos that could come back to haunt them later.
• Discomfort with Traditional Poses: Traditional family photo poses can feel awkward or forced, especially for teenagers. Covering their noses might be a way to feel more comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera.
• Self-Expression and Humor: But it's not all about hiding. The trend also has a playful, expressive side. It's a way to add a touch of silliness and humour to photos—a shared joke among those in the know. It could even be a subtle badge of belonging, a signal of membership in a specific online community or group.

GenZs and Zillenials Shared Views

When asked by a few Gen Zs and Zillenials about their views, many related to feeling discomfort with friends or families clicking, posting, or even sharing their pictures with others without them "approving it."

A fellow journalist, Priya Prakash, shared her views "I discovered that the awkward moments I faced in my teens are now being uniquely handled by Gen Z. I've been snapped many times by family members or relatives, and later, when the pictures used to pop up, my siblings used to playfully tease me about my uncomfortable expressions in those photos. They weren't wrong because I'm quite unsocial, and it is reflected in group pictures. Now, Gen Z has found a solution for this, but I wonder how their parents and family will embrace this innovative approach."

Charge Of Privacy And Control

In today's hyper-connected world, privacy is paramount, especially for Gen Z. They're acutely aware of their online footprint and the potential pitfalls of having their image shared without consent. The nose cover, then, could be a way to exert some control, to obscure their faces, and to reclaim a sliver of privacy in the ever-invasive digital landscape.

Even a Zillenial, Shilpak a Campaign Manager comprehended the fact of awareness amongst GenZs as he opined "Personal privacy is a subject that needs to be discussed more within families. The fact that children are aware of how their images can potentially be misused through AI and Deepfakes once posted by their families across social media platforms entails a significant risk nowadays."

An Open Dialogue

Parents and educators can use the Nose Cover as a springboard for conversations about online privacy, consent, and self-expression. By understanding the reasons behind the trend, we can build bridges of communication and help young people navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

A 20-year-old SNU student, Raghav said "While I understand that parents have a goodwill motive of clicking photos for the sole purpose of saving and preserving memories, there is always a bad side to it, of potential bullying later by the digital footprint of it. Nobody here is at direct fault, neither the parent for saving memories, nor the kid for saving himself from potential bullying, but a safe line to draw for them both could be the nose trend."

I recall once, when I was 18, my mom shared a few teenage pictures of me on her WhatsApp status of me dancing, which I hated but my mom adored. Later, I found out those pictures were being circulated in my class WhatsApp groups and were put on everyone's Instagram stories, severely trolling me. People for the longest time, people have complimented me, saying, "You have truly transformed," referring to my old pictures. I felt exposed and ashamed.

I would be lying if I said I was not mad at my mom and initially blamed her, but later we had a conversation about it where my mom now understood how her good intentions could take a sour turn, and we came on the common ground of sharing my photographs with a few people she truly trusts and must ask before posting pictures whether the person she is posting is comfortable with it or not. She now understands issues of self-consciousness and body imaging felt by even her friends, who ask her to put a picture down when they don't find themselves looking good in it.

Harmless Fun or Disrespectful Disruption?

Is the nose cover trend harmful? While some adults might see the Nose Cover as disrespectful or disruptive, it's important to remember that it's essentially harmless. It's a way for teenagers to express themselves, exert control over their image, and have a little fun. Instead of criticism, this trend should be an opportunity for open communication and acceptance.

Ultimately, the nose cover trend is a reminder that teenagers are constantly finding new ways to express themselves and assert their individuality. While it might not always make sense to us adults, it's important to remember that it's harmless and often a sign of their growing independence and self-awareness.