Discord elects a prime minister? How Nepal's 'Generation Z Revolution' rewrites history using gaming chat apps.

Amidst the dual explosion of political turmoil and social media bans, the young generation of Nepal has launched an unprecedented digital revolution using a chat application originally designed for gaming, "Discord." This struggle, which began with anti-elitist sentiments, ultimately forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step down and led to the emergence of Nepal's first female Prime Minister — Sushila S. Karki.

"Game Chat Room" Transforms into a Political Stage: How Discord Became a Tool for Protest in Nepal

Despite initially being designed as a voice chat platform for gamers, Discord has played a central organizational role in the Z generation-led protests in Nepal. Demonstrators flooded into various Discord servers to conduct informal votes on Kaji, symbolically expressing their support for her as the "people's choice."

The dual pressure from the streets and the internet ultimately led to the resignation of the Oli government, opening a new chapter for the interim transitional government.

The First Female Prime Minister Born: How Kaki Took Office Amidst Turmoil

Former Chief Justice Karki, aged 73, was sworn in on September 12, becoming Nepal's first female interim Prime Minister in history. This handover marks the official start of a transition period characterized by both bloodshed and hope. According to a government announcement, Nepal will hold official elections on March 5, 2026, to elect the next Prime Minister and members of Parliament.

The Rage of Generation Z: From Anti-"Second Generation" to Comprehensive Community Blockade

The movement known as the "Generation Z Revolution" initially began as an online critique of the luxurious lifestyles of the "privileged children." However, the situation took a drastic turn when Prime Minister Oli announced a ban on all social media platforms that did not comply with the new government regulations. Angry young people took to the streets, escalating the protests into full-blown riots.

During the protests, at least 51 people died and 1,300 were injured. The Capitol building and officials' residences were set on fire. The scale and intensity of this movement remind one of the Arab Spring or the Hong Kong protests against the extradition bill, but with a more digitally native characteristic.

What is Discord? Why does it attract young protesters?

Discord was originally a voice and messaging communication platform designed for gamers, nicknamed "the gaming version of Slack." The platform allows users to create servers and set different identity permissions to manage communities, with flexible and decentralized features, making it an ideal tool for coordinating protests.

According to official data, as of May 2024, Discord has surpassed 200 million monthly active users, of which 90% are gamers, accumulating a total of 1.5 billion hours of gameplay each month. During the pandemic, Discord began to expand into non-gaming markets, becoming a popular gathering place for young people to socialize and discuss topics.

Practical but not flashy technology: An introduction to the core features of Discord.

Although the interface of Discord is filled with terms like "server" and "channel," it may seem daunting for newcomers, but in reality, it is easier to use than one might think. Each "server" is like a forum or chat room, which can be subdivided into multiple topic channels. Administrators can set permissions, kick users, and block content, allowing protesters to quickly organize actions while reducing the risk of government infiltration.

In addition, the platform itself does not rely on real identity login, allowing users to speak anonymously, which is highly attractive to users in countries with restricted speech.

From Players to Revolutionaries: Discord's Future Role?

Discord co-founder Jason Citron said in an interview with The New York Times in 2021, "We started with only six users and had no idea if we could succeed." Now, this social application originally for gamers has unexpectedly become a catalyst for political change in Nepal.

The Nepal incident once again confirms: the use of digital tools is not determined by the platform, but by how the people utilize it. When the streets meet the servers, the form of protest is rewritten.

This article discusses how Discord selected a prime minister? How Nepal's "Generation Z Revolution" rewrites history using a gaming chat app. First appeared on Chain News ABMedia.