Credits: Social Media
The sad reason Gen Z are covering their noses in family photos
Unlike Millennials, who got to enjoy life outside the digital world, Gen Z was born into it. Although the Internet is mostly to blame for teens covering their noses in family pictures, the reason that prompts them to hide their faces in the frame raises serious questions about consent, which some parents take for granted.
The practice of covering the nose with their hand, which is common among teenagers these days, caught the attention of the media when Tyson Fury’s wife, Paris, noticed her niece and daughter pose similarly for a picture during a family celebration. No, Gen Z is neither trying to make a statement here nor is it being treated as yet another digital trend.
Why Gen Z are covering their noses in family pictures
The mother of a teen boy, Michelle Harris, learned from her son that kids covered their noses in family pictures to avoid being subject to online bullying, which sparks from photos circulated on school groups to mock their appearances.
Thanks to easy access to any number of apps and social media platforms, kids have resorted to online groups whose sole purpose is to “roast” the subjects of embarrassing family photos.
By covering their noses, the teenagers are protecting themselves from falling prey to trolling.
Transitioning into adolescence is challenging in itself, with our bodies and minds growing through a lot of changes. The facial features tend to change in puberty in addition to raging hormones that cause your skin to break out. We don’t have to tell you about the emotional roller coaster this phase of life puts us through.
The “awkward phase” doesn’t last forever, but it is nonetheless painful until you grow out of it. Changing appearance takes a toll on teenagers’ mental health and the criticism it draws isn’t making their lives any easier.
But, what could they possibly do when they are forced to be a part of family pictures against their will?! These pictures end up on the internet sans filters and edits. So, kids have now started to partially hide their faces.
When Michelle asked her son if he was being bullied at school owing to his hesitancy to be seen in family pictures, he said in response: “No, but I will be if you post pictures of me online without my consent!'”
This, rightly, has raised concerns about a lack of boundaries.
What parents can do to support their teen children
Rather than calling teenagers out for not being proud of themselves, parents should learn to be more sensitive to emotions driven by their kids’ appearance.
Not everybody is comfortable in their skin and having someone say it to their face is extremely hurtful. So, don’t go about preaching to Gen Z about confidence and self-worth but, instead, get consent before sharing their faces on public platforms.
Stop forcing them to pose for family pictures and respect their wishes. We are sure you’d rather watch them smile outside the frame than stand before the camera with their faces half-hidden.
Setting the right boundaries is important. If your kid requests you to not share a certain picture on social media because they think they don’t look great in it, don’t do it. Consent is a priority in matters concerning digital space and exposing someone’s photo against their will is a no-no.
Have an honest conversation with your child so both parties can find a middle ground. Even if it doesn’t change their opinion about not showing up for pictures, you can learn a lot about what’s going on in their minds to help them deal with difficult thoughts and emotions.
