There's a bizarre new trend in town, and it's all about covering up your nose in photos.
At 27 years old, I don't consider myself to be particularly out of touch. But when I see a trend like this, I realize just how wrong I am.
The only reasons I can think of for covering up your nose are if it's exposed on a particularly cold day, or if you're sick and in desperate need of a tissue.
Neither of these are particularly good opportunities for a photo, so why has covering up your nose apparently become a regular reaction when the camera comes out?
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Examples of the nose-cover trend can be seen in photos shared by Paris Fury, wife of boxer Tyson Fury, whose niece, Valentino, and daughter, Venezuela, have both developed a habit of covering their noses.
The move has left internet users wondering if it's some sort of secret signal, but Holly Zoccolan, Founder of The Carol App, and fellow parenting expert Amanda Jenner have now offered up an explanation.
In an interview with Fabulous, Jenner explained that the 'nose cover' isn't a secret signal, but simply a way to avoid being featured in a photo while still taking part.
"Using covers is the only way they can remove themselves without actually upsetting their parents by refusing to be in the photo," Jenner said.
"We as parents want and insist on capturing the moment but to a teenager this is a big deal. Teenagers go through a period of not embracing their appearance, i.e. could be spots, braces, or they just have a time in their lives where they have no self confidence."
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Jenner went on to point out that having images shared online can 'really affect teenagers', adding: "Their peers can often share the photo and make fun of it which is very harmful to their confidence also resulting in harmful comments which can lead onto other issues."
The expert encouraged parents who may be seeing this from their kids to 'remember that this phase is a normal part of growing up, where seeking independence and establishing personal boundaries are key developmental milestones'.
Mom Michelle Harris, who has a 13-year-old son, questioned her son after noticing he was covering his face in photos.
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She explained: "Apparently the teens have group chats of their own and they're very active with school peers on the look out and competing to find and share the most embarrassing family photos of each other so they can ‘roast’ them in the group...
"So essentially the ‘nose cover’ for most is just a way to avoid being a target for ridicule in their digital spaces with friends."
After speaking with her son, Harris pointed out: "Perhaps we should be asking for our teenagers for their consent and making negotiations about what we can and can't post.
"After all I wouldn't feel comfortable about a spotty photo of me being shared online either, would you?"
Topics: Life, TikTok, Viral, Social Media, Beauty, Mental Health