Assessment: Social Media Inspires Gen Z Protests

Key Findings

• In the last three months, significant youth-led protests have occurred across Asia, and parts of Africa, and Latin America. While the causes and grievances differ, protest groups across the world are united through the heavy use of social media, which allows them to amplify their causes under the “Gen Z” banner. 
• Protesters have begun naming their groups after Gen Z, calling others to arms, and using shared symbolism to organize and inspire protesters elsewhere. This has likely led to increased turnout, more assertive civil disobedience, and greater media coverage compared to other youth-led protest movements. 
• Gen Z protest successes (such as major government concessions) have occurred quickly, likely because of ubiquitous use of social media by protesters and the resulting enhanced visibility of protest movements. In turn, the successes are likely building upon each other, explaining their spread across borders. 
• Countries with elevated levels of youth unemployment and large Gen Z populations (likely those in Asia and Africa) are at the highest risk of future Gen Z protests. However, even protesters in countries with smaller Gen Z populations or ongoing movements that predate the Gen Z movement have adopted Gen Z protest symbols.

Introduction

Since September 2025, there has been an observable rise in protests associated with the Gen Z movement. In some cases, these protests have resulted in the overthrow of governments, mass rioting, and major government concessions throughout the world. Inspired by Nepal’s success in overthrowing the government in September, protesters have begun maximizing their use of social media, symbolism, and online anonymity to bolster their cause. This has enhanced their ability to organize a movement, promote it more widely, and engage in successful large-scale action not previously seen. 

This assessment will explore the most prevalent cases of Gen Z protests and the use of social media as a tool for decentralized mobilization in these protests, as well as new and impactful tactics. Exploring a new approach to organizing and mobilizing protesters that will likely have significant implications for host countries.

Where It All Started

In reaction to the supposed disproportionate wealth of their leaders, Nepalese citizens took to social media to voice their discontent. This likely resulted in the government issuing a ban on 26 major social media platforms on September 4, 2025.¹ The ban sparked widespread protests among young people. Protests erupted on September 8, with thousands of people gathering near the Federal Parliament of Nepal in Kathmandu, demanding mass resignations, as well as the dissolution of the parliament and the immediate government.²

The protests turned into riots as clashes with security forces led to multiple deaths; reportedly, 74 people were killed and thousands were injured.³ Amid mounting pressure and escalating public outrage, then Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli announced his resignation on September 9, acknowledging that the government had lost the confidence of the nation and could no longer contain the political crisis.⁴ On September 11, a meeting was held between President Ram Chandra Paudel, Chief of the Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, and Gen Z representatives.⁵ The Gen Z advocates pushed for Sushila Karki to be interim prime minister the following day. On September 13, the protests began to reduce.

Nepal has since been considered a global inspiration and proof of the success that young, tech-savvy activists can have in creating change in their country. The relatively swift transfer of power to a civilian leader and the generally positive consensus about its outcomes globally have served as a model for other protests throughout the world.

Use of Social Media to Organize

The rapid escalation and dismantling of the government in less than a week can almost certainly be attributed to the heavy use of social media throughout Nepal. Platforms such as Discord and Instagram were central in organizing protests, spreading information, mobilizing groups, and creating structure for the cause. 

A major example is the youth group Hami Nepal, which created a Discord server named “Youths Against Corruption” that attracted more than 150,000 members.⁶ Discord servers are mostly open forums, wherein members can discuss and share their interests; these servers have multiple channels that represent different interest groups or topics. Hami Nepal’s server was set up to maximize its ability to organize and rally others for protests.

• Hami Nepal’s server used each channel for a specific operational activity. The channels included a helpline for providing immediate assistance to those on the ground who may have been injured or required additional support, a news collection channel, a news channel dedicated to casualties, a counterpropaganda channel, a poll channel to make collective decisions, a discussion channel for general communication, and a documentation channel to establish server policies and document proposals for discussion and server policies.⁷
• Posts on the server varied in intensity, with multiple debates about the use of violence, tactics, where to rally, what to target, and how to engage with the police. Users also used the channels to express their frustrations with the government and encourage others to join the cause.

• The protesters even used Discord to vote for the interim prime minister. After multiple video calls and online debates, a poll that received over 7,000 votes elected Sushila Karki as the interim prime minister.

Use of Symbolism 

Another key element of the Nepal protests’ success was the ability to effectively use symbolism in rallying others to the cause. For instance, while the idea of a Gen Z movement has spread in the past, Nepal’s reuse of the term reflected a new wave that has been used as an example in other countries.

• In other protest locations, the term represents the general dissent and frustration of youth living in increasingly difficult circumstances and reflects an anti-corruption sentiment. 
• While identification with the cause differs from country to country, a broad coherence with these principle notions is maintained. 

Another symbol that has now been popularized was the protesters' use of the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger flag from the manga series One Piece as a symbol of solidarity. First used in the protests in Indonesia a month before the Nepal protests, various forms of the flag were distributed and hung throughout the protest. The flag would go on to become a universal symbol of the success of Nepal’s protest and the Gen Z movement as a whole at other protests.

Different Countries, Similar Movements 

As protests have spread across the globe, social media has been used throughout the protest cycle to organize, mobilize, and share grievances. Protesters coordinate across borders via social media platforms and use shared imagery at their physical protests, making it highly likely the protests are feeding off each other. The symbol of the Jolly Roger flag has been spotted in Gen Z-led protests throughout the world, including in Ecuador, Morocco, Algeria, Peru, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. 

Madagascar 

The protest in Madagascar has remained ongoing since late September 2025. The protests initially started over electricity blackouts and water shortages, and 22 people were killed in violent clashes with security forces. Protests started en masse on September 25 and shifted toward demands of leadership change. By September 29, then President Andry Rajoelina had dissolved the government over fears of a coup. On October 6, he appointed Military General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the new prime minister, hoping to gain the favor of the national army and quell the protests.⁸ On October 11, units of the Madagascar Armed Forces carried out a coup d'état in support of the protests, which forced the president to be evacuated from the country by the French military.⁹ 

On October 14, the military announced it had seized control of the government, and Colonel Michael Randrianirina was later appointed interim president on October 17. The colonel reported that all state institutions, except for the lower house of parliament, would be dissolved.¹⁰ Madagascans largely celebrated the overthrow of the old government, and mass rallies have since died out as the citizens wait to see the changes they called for take place.¹¹

The protests were initially named the Leo délestage movement; however, as they expanded, they evolved into a more proud universal association with the Gen Z movement. The call to action was largely led by social media influencers, who were able to use their strong following to rally the crowds. Following the successful implementation of symbolism in Nepal, the Malagasy protests adopted their own form of the Jolly Roger flag (with a Malagasy-style straw hat) on Instagram, X (formerly, Twitter), and Facebook as a symbol of resistance. Protesters explicitly invoked the flag’s symbolism in rejecting government neglect.¹²

• Gen Z Madagascar’s Facebook page became a popular platform and amassed 150,000 members. Members would share their grievances, organize rallies, discuss tactics, and outline their demands on the page.

• Protests were organized, information shared, and charters created outlining the protesters’ demands. The protesters' ability to organize supported the impact of their actions.

• Compilations, animations, and reels were created to outline the failures of the government and rouse others into joining the protest.

• Content creators played a key role in motivating others to join. The flag was a prominent symbol during real protests and was used to share the groups' frustrations with the government.

Morocco 

In Morocco, protests began against the backdrop of high youth unemployment, as well as allegations of corruption and discontent over social inequality.¹³ Public anger intensified following the death of eight women in August while giving birth in a hospital in Agadir with poor facilities. 

• On September 17, the GenZ 212 Discord server was launched by four users, with fewer than 1,000 members; the channel exploded to include approximately 250,000 members by October 7. The first mass protests occurred from September 27–30 across the biggest cities of Rabat, Marrakesh, and Casablanca. The protests intensified as continued clashes with security forces led to arrests and injuries and expanded to other cities and became a nationwide movement. On October 1, three people were killed following violent clashes with police as protesters attempted to storm a police station in Lqliâa, near Agadir.¹⁴

• A split existed between peaceful protests and rioters as GenZ 212 called for peaceful action and aimed to dissociate itself from violent actors. Protests continued periodically until October 11, when GenZ 212 made a statement suspending its protest as it prepared for the “next phase of the movement.”¹⁵ On October 18, the protests resumed in Rabat and continued at a smaller scale. On October 19, the government promised major improvements and reforms to healthcare, education, and youth participation in politics.¹⁶

The use of Discord and the decentralized and anonymized nature of these protests greatly imitate Nepal's protests. The Algerian Discord server took clear inspiration from Nepal’s, utilizing the same structure of separated channels for specialized information. An October 11 announcement halting protests shows the group’s ability to organize effectively without any clear leadership. The group also used a Facebook page and other social media platforms to spread information and motivate others to follow. #GenZ212 became popular on X and was used to share protest locations and announcements.

• While the Jolly Roger flag was not significantly used, the same method of symbolism found in other protests was used, with the #GenZ212 slogan displayed on clothing, flags, and throughout the city.

Philippines

The protests were initially inspired by the revelation of corruption and bribes paid to government officials involved in flood prevention projects. Subsequently, they evolved into wider protests over elite privileges and inequality. During the Trillion Peso September March, some protesters waved the Jolly Roger flag. During protests in the capital Manila on September 21, the flag was flown in.¹⁷ In Baha sa Luneta protests, student participants carried One Piece imagery as a symbol of rebellion.¹⁸ In response to the protests, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. removed key political allies implicated in the scandal.

• Instagram and Facebook are the most popular platforms in the Philippines and were used to promote these protests. These protests were unique in their heavy emphasis on the Gen Z movement as a cause in itself to fight against the government; grievances were channeled under the banner of the Gen Z cause. Protests also featured heavy use of Gen Z symbolism such as the Jolly Roger flag.

Peru

Since September 13, Peru has experienced mass protests throughout the country over worsening economic conditions and public anger over corruption and crime. The protests escalated on September 20 when pension reform, passed by the government earlier that month, came into effect. The young protesters were joined by transport workers over anger at extortion from gangs.¹⁹ 

The protests soon became focused on the removal of then President Dina Boluarte, who the protesters saw as corrupt and profiteering. On October 11, Dina Boluarte was removed from office following an impeachment by Congress.²⁰

• Interim president José Jerí was sworn in. Protests escalated to new heights on October 11 as protesters remained unhappy with Jerí, who they believed to be unfit and as having committed sexual assault. During one clash with police in Lima, one protester was killed and over 80 were injured after police fired pellets at demonstrators.²¹ The protests have continued since, and a state of emergency was declared on October 16.

Throughout the protests, reports identified frequent use of the Jolly Rogers flag.²² The flag was reportedly flown by protesters in Lima; its symbolism and the cause were strongly associated with the Gen Z movement.²³ Hashtags #GenZ, #corupción, and #ProtestasPeru were used to generate content to incite frustration and outrage on X.²⁴ Instagram and TikTok were other popular channels used in Peru to organize protests, spread information, and unify people under the protests. Many of the protesters openly spoke of their association with Nepal and the idea of the Gen Z movement as a global phenomenon.

Other Protests Hear the Call

These examples help to highlight strong cases of Gen Z protests utilizing social media and symbolism to successfully rally people and implement change. The Gen Z movement has also taken center stage in other countries around the world. In some cases, the movement is associated only in name, while, in others, the movement clearly imitates the techniques found in the Nepalese protests.

• In Paraguay, ongoing protests have denounced corruption and nepotism in President Santiago Peña’s administration. The Generación Z Paraguay group staged an initial protest on September 28, 2025, to condemn an initiative to reform the Constitution allowing former President Horacio Cartes—considered Peña’s political mentor—to run again. Protests turned violent, with 31 arrests and multiple injuries reported after a police crackdown.²⁵ The Jolly Roger flag was flown in the most recent protests in Asunción. The protesting Paraguayans significantly identified with the youth frustration common globally. The protests were heavily youth-led and generated abnormally high social media and news coverage due to their affiliation with Gen Z.²⁶
• Calls for youth-led demonstrations in Algeria have been described as “copycats” of the large-scale protests seen in neighboring Morocco. Days after protests in Morocco erupted, social media profiles using the hashtag #GenZ213 started promoting similar youth-led mobilizations on platforms such as TikTok.²⁷ Reportedly, pro-government Algerian media groups have labelled this “a Moroccan plot” to cause unrest in Algeria, given alleged long-standing tension between the two countries.²⁸ However, as of reporting, no major protest activity has been observed in Algeria.
• Timor-Leste experienced short-lived demonstrations in the capital Dili from September 15–17, as crowds made up of mostly university students gathered in front of the parliament to protest the decision to spend USD 4 million to purchase 65 cars for lawmakers. The protests were successful, as the government announced it would not go ahead with the purchase and removed lifetime pensions for retired legislators.²⁹ One Piece symbolism was also observed throughout the protests.^30,31

A New Type of Protester 

The success of Gen Z uprisings and protests can be attributed to multiple factors, including a sufficiently significant and nationwide grievance to spark public outcry, successful spread of information to help galvanize and bind groups together under a cause, and an effective organization for partisan groups to actively engage in demonstrations to affect change. The previous months of Gen Z protests have shown an enhanced ability for youth to organize and share information through social media, the results of which have been rapidly collapsed governments and major reforms—whereas previous youth-led protests, such as Gen Z protests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, may have required weeks and months to gain concessions.

• Protesters have begun to emphasize the use of social media as a tool for mobilization, organization, and propaganda. This has allowed them to elevate their protests to wider audiences and rally more people behind the cause. 
• Through the association with the Gen Z cause, protesters have been able to connect with wider movements and bring greater media attention to their cause. This association has also allowed protesters to learn from and support each other, implementing tactics that were successful in previous protests. 
• The decentralized and anonymous use of social media allows protesters to operate below the radar of local police. By using platforms such as Discord, which the police are not familiar with, protesters have been able to avoid becoming individual targets, which has allowed them to continue operating in spite of police crackdowns. 
• Protests appear to have more clearly defined outcomes and goals, very likely due to the protesters’ ability to organize effectively over social media and establish a unified platform to discuss and define their demands for the government. This has very likely led to more clear results and outcomes in protests. 
• Protests that heavily utilized social media platforms and were more effectively organized appear to have been more successful. 
• All of these factors work together to create a more effective and rapid escalation of protests that have allowed for rapid widespread uprisings and ultimately lead to quick downfalls or reforms in governments unable to manage the changes. 

Together, these forces have produced a new kind of protester—young, tech savvy, and emboldened by global discontent—whose ability to mobilize is considerably more rapid, and the consequences are becoming increasingly significant.

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