Gen Z Uprising: How a Social Media Ban Ignited Nepal’s Youth

A controversial ban on social media has ignited a powerful, youth-led uprising in Nepal, revealing a deep generational rift and widespread anger at the ruling elite. The protests, overwhelmingly driven by members of Gen Z, erupted last week after the government moved to block popular platforms and introduce a bill to regulate online content, a measure widely seen as an attempt to stifle dissent and free expression.
The social media ban proved to be a critical miscalculation, acting as a catalyst for years of pent-up frustration. For a generation that grew up online, the move was a direct attack on their primary mode of communication and political expression. It was on these very platforms, particularly TikTok, that young Nepalis had been organizing and sharing content criticizing the government, including viral videos showcasing the lavish lives of politicians’ families in a nation struggling with poverty and a 20% youth unemployment rate.
The government’s response was swift and brutal. When protesters tried to breach police barricades, security forces opened fire, killing 19 people in a single day. This violence, rather than intimidating the young demonstrators, hardened their resolve. Nineteen-year-old protester Nima Tendi Sherpa, who was shot in the arm, captured the mood, stating, “Now that the fire has already started, I believe it must continue until we achieve true freedom.”
The intensity of the “protest of Gen Z” forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign and rescind the ban. However, the movement’s goals have since expanded. The youth are no longer just fighting for their digital rights; they are demanding an end to the corruption and nepotism that they believe have plagued Nepal for years, pushing for a complete reset of the country’s political landscape.