Digital Activism and Youth Political Mobilization: A Case Study of the Nepal Gen Z Protests (2025)

Abstract

The Nepal Gen Z Protests of 2025 represent a critical turning point in the evolution of youth political engagement in contemporary Nepal. Emerging from digitally connected networks rather than traditional political party structures, the movement reflected deep generational dissatisfaction with corruption, unemployment, and perceived restrictions on digital freedoms. This study examines the protests as a case study of digital activism within an emerging democracy, analysing how social media platforms functioned as mechanisms of mobilization, coordination, and political expression. Drawing upon public sphere theory and network society theory, the paper argues that Generation Z in Nepal transformed digital platforms into alternative spaces of political participation, effectively challenging conventional hierarchies of power. While the protests demonstrated the capacity of decentralized digital networks to generate rapid collective action, they also revealed structural limitations related to sustainability, leadership, and institutional reform. By situating the Nepal Gen Z protests within broader theoretical debates on democracy and digital communication, this study contributes to an understanding of how youth-led digital movements are reshaping political landscapes in South Asia. The findings suggest that digital activism can amplify marginalized voices and alter public discourse, but its long-term democratic impact depends upon the responsiveness of formal political institutions and the ability of youth movements to transition from symbolic protest to sustained civic engagement.