As international momentum builds for curbing minors’ social media access, Nepal has opted out of the fray by retracting its regulatory bill. The National Assembly’s unanimous approval to withdraw marks a pivotal shift, influenced by domestic protests and overseas examples.
The bill targeted social network oversight but met resistance, leading to its unanimous shelving proposed by Chairman Narayan Dahal. Committee Chair Tuls Kumari Dahal’s report preceded a flurry of 155 amendments from 35 members, exposing rifts. The ministry’s February 3 withdrawal request sealed its fate.
Flashback to 2025: Nepal’s ban talks triggered the Gen-Z movement, a clarion call from youth against overreach. Australia’s trailblazing law banning under-16s has prompted 4.7 million account deletions since December, per regulator data.
eSafety’s Julie Inman Grant noted, ‘Early compliance data shows platforms are stepping up.’ This aligns with Euro News reports of 5 million underage accounts purged. Denmark eyes similar rules, and Nordic countries aim for under-15 blocks by 2026.
Ireland joins the chorus of nations pondering bans. Nepal’s pullback reflects lessons from these precedents—rigid bans risk backlash. Instead, nuanced strategies emphasizing education and tech accountability may prevail, ensuring kids’ safety without alienating a digital-native generation.