Nepal has hit the brakes on its ambitious plan to clamp down on social media, unanimously voting to shelve a proposed bill in the National Assembly. This reversal echoes global trends where countries like Australia are enforcing age-based bans, but not without fierce pushback from users and activists.
Details emerged from Kathmandu sources confirming the Assembly’s decision to withdraw the ‘Social Network Usage and Management Bill.’ Chairman Narayan Dahal moved the motion, which sailed through on consensus. It caps a saga that saw the Legislation Management Committee, led by Tuls Kumari Dahal, grapple with 155 amendments from 35 members.
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology preemptively decided to pull the plug on February 3, seeking parliamentary nod. This isn’t Nepal’s first brush with controversy; 2025’s ban proposals fueled the explosive Gen-Z protests, reshaping the political landscape.
Across the world, Australia’s under-16 ban, active since mid-December, is delivering results. Platforms have proactively removed 4.7 million juvenile accounts, as reported by eSafety officials. Commissioner Julie Inman Grant expressed optimism: ‘We’re seeing platforms take necessary steps swiftly.’
Euro News highlighted how, in just one month, social media firms axed around 5 million minor accounts to comply. Denmark and Ireland are mulling parallels, while Nordic nations pledged in November to bar under-15s from platforms by 2026.
Nepal’s decision underscores the tightrope governments walk: protecting kids from cyber risks versus preserving digital freedoms. With youth movements proving influential, any future bids for control will likely face even steeper hurdles. The global push intensifies, but Nepal opts for dialogue over decree.