People Are Confused About Why North West Covers Her Face In Instagram Posts And There's Actually A Reason

North West officially launched her Instagram account last month, and since then, she's been giving fans a steady stream of content.

From selfies with friends to outfit snapshots and glimpses of her very famous family, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has embraced social media with enthusiasm.

Kim and Kanye also share three other children: Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, six.

But one thing about North's posts has left fans scratching their heads. In several photos and Instagram Stories, she's been covering her face or mouth with her hand.

Back in December, she posted a picture where her entire face was obscured while wearing a fluffy black hooded coat.

More recently, she shared two Instagram Stories where she covered her mouth in both, once in an outfit shot wearing a Balenciaga T-shirt, black skirt, skull choker, and oversized sunglasses, and again in a video with two friends.

In that clip, all three girls, sporting blue, pink, and green hair respectively, covered their mouths before flashing peace signs.

At first glance, it might seem like a random quirk or just North being playful. But as it turns out, there's actually a reason behind it, and it's become increasingly common among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Keep reading to find out what experts are saying about this trend and why so many teenagers are doing the exact same thing.

North West's Instagram account, managed by her parents, has sparked conversation about her face-covering habit

TikTok/@kimandnorth

The trend is often referred to as the "nose trend," and it's not limited to celebrity kids. Teenagers across social media have been doing this in family photos and on their own accounts for a while now.

For parents who remember when getting everyone together for a picture was a straightforward task, this new behavior can feel confusing or even frustrating.

But according to parenting experts, it's actually a form of quiet rebellion and self-preservation.

Amanda Jenner, a parenting expert and co-founder of The Carol App, explained the psychology behind it in an interview with Fabulous. "Using covers is the only way they can remove themselves without actually upsetting their parents by refusing to be in the photo," she 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."

Jenner also pointed out that sharing images online can have serious consequences for teenagers. "Their peers can often share the photo and make fun of it, which is very harmful to their confidence, also resulting in harmful comments that can lead to other issues," she explained.

In other words, covering their face isn't just about vanity or shyness. It's about protecting themselves from potential ridicule in a world where photos can be screenshot, shared, and commented on endlessly.

Parenting experts say the trend reflects teenagers' need for privacy and control over their image

Instagram/@northwest

Holly Zoccolan, co-founder of The Carol App alongside Jenner, offered another layer to the explanation. "Teenagers withdrawing their consent to appear in family photos reflects their growing desire for privacy and control over their personal image," she said.

"As they develop their own identity, teenagers often become more self-conscious and sensitive about how they are perceived, especially on social media where these photos might be shared."

Essentially, covering their face becomes a way of reclaiming some autonomy in situations where they feel they have little say.

Of course, all of this is speculative when it comes to North specifically. She may have her own reasons for covering her face that have nothing to do with the broader trend.

But one parent's experience sheds light on just how seriously some teens take this issue. Michelle Harris reportedly asked her teenage son directly why he kept covering his face in photos.

As per the New York Post, she told The Sun: "After several attempts to snatch the perfect Christmas family photo, I turned to my teen and finally asked him, 'Why?'" "'Is everything OK? Why won't you show up in family photos for the handsome boy that you are anymore?' And then the big whopper: 'Are you being bullied?'"

His response? "No, but I will be if you post pictures of me online without my consent!"

North shared an Instagram story featuring two of her friends, and everyone has their mouths covered

Instagram/@northwest

Final Thoughts

What might look like a harmless or quirky pose is actually a powerful statement about privacy, control, and self-protection in the digital age.

Teenagers like North West are growing up in a world where every image can be permanent and public, and covering their faces is one of the few ways they can push back.

Whether it's about avoiding bullying, managing insecurities, or simply demanding consent over their own image, the trend speaks to a generation that's hyper-aware of how they're perceived online.

What do you think about teens covering their faces in photos? Is it a fair boundary or an overreaction? Share your thoughts in the comments below.