Gen Z and the Future of Change: Nepal’s Discord/Digital Revolution

What happens when a generation raised on social media takes to the streets?

The 2025 Gen Z revolution in Nepal isn’t just another political uprising—it’s a social earthquake that shook the entire nation. For generations, Nepal struggled under the weight of corruption, the dominance of high-ranking families, and youth unemployment. What began as frustration of a “social media ban” (which, in reality, was much deeper than that) erupted into a nationwide movement that redefined protest. Their anger boiled over, and the ban only fueled the fire. 

However, this revolution was different. The resistance didn’t come from traditional leaders or some old political party; it was led by the young, tech-savvy generation who grew up with memes, TikTok, smartphones, Discord, and Instagram. For years, Nepali youth had watched the same circle of corrupt elites and their children monopolize opportunity. But the final straw came when the government imposed a social media ban in an attempt to suppress dissent. Instead of silencing young people, it empowered them. Overnight, social media became the command centre for a revolution. 

The streets of Kathmandu and more were filled with chants, posters, and One Piece flags. The online battlefield, on platforms like Discord and Instagram, was where memes became weapons and online support rallied. With hashtags like #nepokids, online communities and chats, and accounts like @gen.znepal (“Slay, rise, Zvolution 🫶🏽💅”!), it wasn’t an ordinary revolution; it was a digital one. 

The roots of Nepal’s Gen Z revolution can be traced back to years of suffering and frustration built up under a corrupt government and weak economy. Young Nepalis had long vented online—criticizing corruption, mocking nepotism, and sharing stories. They were fed up with cronyism, corruption, and the lack of economic opportunities. Economic stagnation combined with the government’s decision to ban social media created a perfect storm. 

Now, why did they ban social media?

The children of corrupt politicians were being exposed, and the government tried to censor the media. Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli (K.P. Oli), the former prime minister of Nepal, arrested people for speaking up against him and other politicians. Elite families flaunted their wealth on social media (see Saugat Thapa’s luxury product bags Christmas tree) while average citizens were being oppressed. Naturally, Nepalis were enraged and used social media to express those feelings. That’s when the government made one grave mistake: banning social media. 

The ban was intended to silence critics and disrupt cooperation amongst protestors. Instead, it had the opposite effect – it became the spark that lit the fire. Within days, youth participatory groups used social media platforms such as Discord and Instagram to organize peaceful rallies. On September 8th, large gatherings took place in Kathmandu. Most participants were students, and the protest resulted in 19+ deaths of youth wearing school uniforms. The protests swelled and spread across the country. 

An interesting thing to note is that this revolution wasn’t isolated. Globally, youth-led movements were already taking place, such as Indonesia’s student uprisings. This demonstrates the power that Gen Z holds in using social media to challenge outdated structures. Technology has made revolutions faster, more adaptable, and harder to control.

At the heart of this revolution lies a sense of betrayal and anger. The government promised opportunity and progress for everyone, yet all young people saw was:

• Corruption: politicians pocketed funds and inflated infrastructure contracts.

• Youth unemployment: the rate is reported at 20.8% in 2024, and thousands of youths leave to go abroad for work because there simply are just no opportunities.

• Nepotism/cronyism: positions and opportunities were passed down and given, leaving no space for new voices; it didn’t matter how talented or hardworking you were. 

For Gen Z, being able to watch global youth communities succeed felt like a prison. The dismissive attitude of the elite made things even worse, and the final trigger—the social media ban—felt like the government was silencing their very identity. Gen Z felt betrayed and ignored, and decided to fight back—online, offline, and everywhere in between.

At the start, the Gen Z revolution was spirited and hopeful. Protestors and students carried banners and organized flash mobs. But instead of listening, the authorities responded with brutality. Tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition were used. What could’ve remained peaceful escalated into chaos. Videos and images circulated online, sparking global outrage. I personally saw a video of some students being shot in the head with water cannons, and it was extremely distressing. Police brutality became a rallying point, as it proved what the youth had been thinking all along: the system was built on fear, not democracy. Videos of police violence were turned into TikToks and hashtags, which amplified their voices. The movement was no longer about corruption or unemployment; it was now a battle for freedom and the right to exist without fear. 

The most defining feature of the Gen Z revolution in Nepal is its digital component. The social media ban, meant to extinguish communication, only motivated young people. VPNs and Discord servers became virtual command centres. Memes were used as protest arts, mocking politicians long before government propaganda could reach anyone. Widely used hashtags like #nepokids rallied protestors. Even pop culture was incorporated: the One Piece Jolly Roger flag was used at rallies, signalling freedom and rebellion and their fight against corrupt villains. Protestors didn’t just march, they livestreamed. They didn’t just chant, they turned it viral. Nepalis turned what the governments thought they cut off into a lifeline. On Discord, young people gathered to discuss strategies, assign roles, and even voted on the interim PM. Now this, this was truly democratic. 

Through live streams, viral videos, and global hashtags, protestors ensured that every single act of violence by the government and the army was broadcast worldwide. This created immense pressure internally and internationally. The government was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of digital coordinated mass action. Gen Z had mastered narrative control. 

Nepal’s Gen Z revolution is not the only one of its kind. Across Asia, youth have been challenging politics in similar ways. Nepal fits into this wave of digital and youth fueled movement reshaping how politics and revolutions work. Revolutions today don’t look like revolutions of the past. Movements are driven by the people, social media is more powerful than ever, and global awareness is instantaneous. Elites now realize they can no longer rely on censorship, intimidation, and propaganda. 

Gen Z has rewritten, reinvented the rules of revolution, and there is no turning back. 

Extra:

One of the most symbolic and controversial moments of the revolution in Nepal was when protesters set fire to government buildings and documents. People asked, “what about the history?” To which protestors replied, “this is history.” Just as the French destroyed aristocratic palaces, Nepal’s Gen Z burned papers to symbolize the death of a corrupt system.