From Screens to Streets: How Tech Is Empowering a New Generation

Tul Khadka

Technology has been playing a vital role in our daily lives since the beginning of the digital era. Human civilization is moving toward a robotic world and a digital data ecosystem. In every corner of the world, people are carrying out their activities under the domain of technology. It controls many of our daily activities and even monitors our schedules and routines. A large number of people are engaging directly and indirectly to share information with each other.

Today, people demand “click services” on their mobile screens. Social media use has become part of our culture. Technology has radically transformed our behavior and routines. We spend time scrolling social media feeds and often use technology to perform tasks such as data collection, management, and delivery. It provides smart, seamless services that are convenient and efficient. People’s digital right is to receive seamless, faceless, and cashless services. The younger generation—Gen Z—is growing and learning on screens. They exchange messages and information using various digital tools.

While we often think of technology as something that makes tasks faster and easier, Gen Z has also shown that protests and strikes can be organized through it. Without smart technology, protest movements would not gain momentum or results as quickly.

The recent Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9 clearly demonstrated the role of technology in shaping social behavior. Although the protests caused significant disruption, the organizers developed their entire strategy through digital tools and executed it on the ground. Despite this, investigating and regulatory bodies struggled to trace the planning behind the movement.

We are now in a global era of Generation Z movements. Countries such as Peru, France, Ladakh (India), the Philippines, and Nepal have witnessed unrest even after democratic transitions. Nepal currently has an interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The country continues to struggle with development challenges, largely due to poor governance and widespread corruption.

Today, Gen Z is fighting against irresponsible governance. They are demanding a citizen-oriented, service-delivering government supported by technology. In traditional protests, people shared plans through physical gatherings. In modern protests, strategies are shared through digital groups, networks, and social platforms.

Winning people’s trust requires delivering quality services, support, and honest behavior. Nepal seeks progress through the dedication and sacrifice of its citizens. Gen Z demands justice and good governance. It is time to rise and prosper instead of remaining stagnant or divided. Solidarity is essential for stability and development. We must fight corruption and the corrupt system to build a brighter, sustainable future.

Political leaders frequently pledge good governance in speeches and manifestos, but the results often bring frustration, inequality, and increased corruption. Therefore, Gen Z has stepped forward to observe and monitor unethical and corrupt actions.

Nepali youth cannot tolerate the unethical activities occurring in the country. They are committed to protesting for accountable governance. Their demand is simple: leaders must “serve, not steer.” If the government—elected or not—fails to gain public legitimacy through a people-centric approach, citizens will continue voicing concerns both online and on the streets.

Technology enables greater public participation. Without it, large public mobilizations would be far slower. Technology plays a crucial role in transparency and accountability, ensuring that government officials’ activities cannot remain hidden. Digital records cannot truly be deleted; they can be recovered. Public activities are easily observed through audio, video, and online media. Technology should be viewed as a powerful tool to combat corruption. While individuals may hide actions, technology reveals them. Those in public positions must be accountable, and if they fail, technology will expose them.

A nation advances when its citizens act ethically, professionally, and responsibly. Citizens serve as watchdogs. Without accountability, good governance and prosperity are impossible. Every individual must be duty-bound and change-oriented. Transparency leads to rule of law, and where rule of law exists, democracy and development follow. We must first change ourselves. Without personal transformation, national transformation is impossible.

Major reforms require both a grand plan and mass support from the grassroots level. Technology, social media, youth activism, and civic-conscious citizens are key to strengthening democracy, governance, and the rule of law. One major cultural weakness in Nepal is that we see problems in laws and systems but rarely acknowledge problems in our own habits and customs. Real change begins when we correct our behavior.

If we are committed to good governance and social justice, we must apply technology across public and private sectors. In today’s world, artificial intelligence (AI) and technology play a more pivotal role in protests and governance than physical resources. As technology and AI become critical instruments for accountability and civic movement, we must use them strategically to ensure a competitive advantage.

(The author can be reached at kc.daart@gmail.com)