Nepal's Social Media Ban Disrupts Lifelines for Migrant Families

As of September 10th, 2025, Nepal's recent social media ban has triggered a fierce backlash, particularly from the country's younger generation. An analysis of Nepal's emerging reality, shaped by migration and remittances, reveals that the ban disrupted two essential lifelines for millions of Nepali families: affordable communication and money transfers.

Nepal has a rapidly growing migrant population, with the 2021 census showing that 7.5% of the total population are emigrants. India and the Middle East remain the top destinations, accounting for 11% and 14% of Nepal's emigrant population, respectively. This thriving migrant population ensures that remittances play a crucial role in Nepal's economy, accounting for over 33% of the country's GDP in 2024.

The social media ban dealt a direct blow to this foundation, as platforms like WhatsApp provided a virtually free way for Nepalis to stay in touch with their loved ones abroad. With the average cost of a phone call to popular destinations ranging from NPR 4 to 30 per minute, the ban made it an expensive proposition for many families to maintain regular communication. Furthermore, social media was also an essential tool for transferring money, disrupting a critical function for a country so heavily reliant on remittances.

As a result, a sense of panic quickly set in, as Nepalis found themselves struggling to stay connected with their families without access to these affordable digital tools. The backlash, particularly from the youth, was swift and fierce, leading the government to eventually lift the ban.