Gen Z Protests in Asia Highlight the Power of Youth and Social Media

Tue Sep 30 2025 03:37:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The recent protests across Asia driven by Generation Z reflect a powerful response to systemic corruption, showcasing how social media can unite and mobilize young activists despite governmental attempts to suppress dissent.

Young activists across Asia, particularly in Nepal and Indonesia, have recently harnessed the power of social media to mobilize large protests against corruption and inequality. The protests, inspired by the lifestyle of the elite, symbolized by 'nepo kids', have resulted in significant civil unrest and government reactions, calling into question the effectiveness of digital-driven movements in enacting lasting change.

Gen Z Protests in Asia Highlight the Power of Youth and Social Media

Recent protests in Asian countries, particularly Nepal and Indonesia, illustrate how Generation Z is leveraging social media to voice their discontent with systemic corruption. A 23-year-old activist named Aditya became enraged after witnessing opulence displayed by 'nepo kids' — children of politicians who flaunted their wealth on platforms like Instagram.

Motivated by this disparity, Aditya and thousands of young protesters filled the streets of Kathmandu in September, demanding accountability and change. As frustrations mounted over corruption, protests escalated, resulting in clashes that left numerous people dead and property damaged.

The Role of Social Media

Social media has acted as a double-edged sword in this uprising. Although it serves as a platform for spreading awareness, it has also been met with government pushback, such as bans on certain platforms. Nevertheless, young activists, like Aditya and his friends, responded by using remaining platforms like TikTok to share their message widely using humor and creativity.

Cross-Border Solidarity

This mobilization is not confined to Nepal. Similar sentiments have emerged from youth in Indonesia and the Philippines, unified by an affinity for addressing corruption and immobility within their societies. The protests have sparked a cross-regional solidarity among Asian youth, encouraged by hashtags and symbols adopted across borders.

The Aftermath

Despite the heavy toll of these uprisings, with losses in life and significant property damage, they have prompted governments to acknowledge some demands—including slashing excessive allowances for lawmakers. However, the effectiveness of these protests in achieving longstanding change remains uncertain, with historical patterns suggesting that digital movements can sometimes lack direction in terms of sustainable reform.

Aditya expresses hope that this generation will learn from the past, intending not to repeat the mistakes of the previous generation, who often became part of the corrupted system they sought to challenge.