A wave of protests driven by Generation Z is sweeping across Asia, fueled by anger over corruption and social inequality. Activists harness social media to expose political youth privilege and demand change.

In Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Generation Z is rising up against corruption, utilizing social media to mobilize protests. Young activists are confronting political nepotism, demanding accountability, and expressing outrage over social inequality.

The Gen Z Uprising in Asia Shows Social Media is a Double-Edged Sword

It was the wedding of the daughter of a Nepalese politician that first angered Aditya. The 23-year-old activist was scrolling through his social media feed in May when he read about how the high-profile marriage ceremony sparked huge traffic jams in the city of Bhaktapur. What riled him most were claims that a major road was blocked for hours for VIP guests, who reportedly included the Nepalese prime minister. Though the claims were never verified and the politician later denied that his family had misused state resources, Aditya's mind was made up. It was, he decided, really unacceptable. Over the next few months, he noticed more posts on social media by politicians and their children showing luxury lifestyles.

On 8 September, angered by what he had seen online, Aditya and his friends joined thousands of young protesters on the streets of Kathmandu. As the anti-corruption protests gathered pace, there were clashes between demonstrators and police, leading to unfortunate fatalities. The following day, crowds stormed parliament and set government offices ablaze, resulting in the resignation of the prime minister.

This trend of youthful activism is not limited to Nepal. In Indonesia, also driven by discontent over government corruption, young people have staged demonstrations. Activists across the region are expressing their outrage over what they see as entrenched political corruption, demanding opportunities for social mobility.

Many protests focused on the so-called nepo kids—children of politicians benefiting from their parents' influence. The discontent surrounding these figures reflects broader societal frustrations about privilege and corruption. Activists are now using technology to mobilize and spread their messages, harnessing platforms like TikTok and Discord to reach wider audiences.

While protests have led to substantial chaos and violence across Asia, they have also resulted in accountability, as government leaders begin to acknowledge the protesters' concerns. Despite the challenges facing these movements, the power of Generation Z in shaping the future of governance is becoming increasingly undeniable.