Gen Z’s “Digital Revolution”: Nepal’s Youth Take to the Streets

A wave of civil unrest, spearheaded by Nepal’s digitally native Generation Z, has erupted across the country, with thousands of young protesters taking to the streets of Kathmandu and other major cities. The protests, a powerful fusion of online outrage and real-world action, were ignited by the government’s recent ban on 26 social media platforms, but have rapidly evolved into a broader movement against long-standing government corruption and a perceived rise in authoritarianism.

The government’s decision to ban major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), came into effect last week. The official justification is that these companies failed to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, a requirement mandated by a recent Supreme Court directive. Officials have stated that the ban is a matter of regulatory compliance and that services would be restored as soon as the platforms comply with Nepali law.

However, for a generation that relies on these platforms for communication, education, business, and social and political organizing, the ban was a breaking point. What began as a backlash against a “digital blackout” quickly became a full-blown “Gen Z Revolution.” Protesters, many of them students and young professionals, argue that the government’s move is a transparent attempt to silence dissent and suppress critical voices. The ban has been widely condemned by journalists and digital rights groups as a direct threat to freedom of expression and a blow to democratic principles.

The demonstrations, which started with peaceful marches, have escalated. In Kathmandu, protesters defied police barricades and clashed with security forces near the Federal Parliament, prompting the local administration to impose a curfew. Accounts from the ground describe scenes of tear gas and water cannons being used to disperse the crowds. Tragically, reports have emerged of a protester being killed and dozens injured during the clashes.

While the social media ban was the catalyst, the protesters’ demands go far deeper. Placards and chants highlight a deep-seated frustration with institutionalized corruption, economic stagnation, and a political elite seen as out of touch with the public. “We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are here,” one student protester told the media, articulating the widely held sentiment. “We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalized in Nepal.”

The movement has gained momentum by utilizing the few online platforms that remain accessible, such as TikTok, to share news, organize, and amplify their message. Videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the lavish lifestyles of political figures have gone viral, further fueling public anger. The protests have also received support from prominent figures in the arts and media, who have voiced solidarity with the youth’s demands for accountability and change.

The government remains firm in its stance, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defending the ban as necessary to uphold national dignity and sovereignty. Yet, the sheer scale and intensity of the youth-led protests suggest that this is more than a simple regulatory dispute. It is a generational cry for a better future, one free from corruption and with guaranteed digital freedoms. The “Gen Z Revolution” in Nepal serves as a powerful reminder of how a single policy decision can unearth a reservoir of simmering public discontent, transforming a digital-savvy generation into a force for political change on the streets.