Which age group is most likely to cover their mouth when lying?

Children are most likely to cover their mouths when lying due to their developmental stage and understanding of social cues. At a young age, children often lack the sophistication of adults and teenagers in managing their deception and may revert to instinctive behaviors that indicate they are not being truthful. Covering their mouth can be an unconscious signal of guilt or awareness that what they are saying may not be true.

Additionally, children tend to exhibit more overt physical responses to anxiety or fear of getting caught, while older age groups may have developed strategies to conceal their lies more effectively or may not display such obvious cues. The behavior is often a rudimentary attempt to hide their deception, reflecting their innocence and limited experience in navigating complex social interactions.