The 2020s are emerging as a decade marked by widespread protests across Asia, reflecting deep-seated anger and frustration with political systems. In recent years, mass demonstrations have escalated, leading to significant political changes in several countries.

In Sri Lanka, protests erupted in 2022, lasting over 100 days amid the nation’s worst economic crisis. This unrest culminated in the fall of the powerful Rajapaksa family and their government. More recently, in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the capital in a helicopter after protesters stormed her palace, ending her 15-year rule. In the past month, violent protests have also occurred in Indonesia and Nepal, with additional marches planned in the Philippines.

These movements, while separated by geography and time, share a common thread: the influence of social media. Activists are using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Discord to mobilize support and express dissatisfaction with corrupt political systems. Dr. DB Subedi, a lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland, noted, "Social media is no longer just a site for entertainment and networking. It has increasingly become a political site."

In Indonesia, public outrage over government ministers' lavish benefits, combined with a viral video of a delivery driver being killed by police, sparked significant protests. Similarly, in Nepal, the government's attempt to ban social media coincided with the rise of the #NepoBabies videos, which showcased the extravagant lifestyles of politicians' children against a backdrop of widespread poverty. This stark contrast fueled anger among the youth, particularly in a country where 20% of young people struggle to find jobs.

Ujjwal Acharya, Project Head in Kathmandu, explained that the protests were not solely about removing a leader but aimed at reforming the entire system. "A lot of youth were sharing their experiences of when they had to deal with government agencies. They found out that there are so many like them who had experienced things they wouldn't have if governance worked in Nepal," he said.

The protests in Nepal quickly gained momentum, initially organized through platforms like Reddit and Discord, leading to the ousting of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. However, the same social media tools that united the protesters also contributed to misinformation that threatened the movement. Acharya noted, "A lot of misinformation was being spread at this time. For a day there was misinformation saying that it's a military coup… This was dangerous because people were trying to taint the army."

Rumors circulated about attacks on sacred sites and the potential reinstatement of the monarchy, which could have incited violent backlash. A particularly damaging incident involved a map of Kathmandu that identified the homes of political leaders, leading to an arson attack on the residence of Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, the wife of a former prime minister.

The protests escalated into a violent spree, resulting in the destruction of key government buildings, including the parliament and the Supreme Court. Acharya emphasized that the original organizers did not intend for the protests to turn violent. "The original organisers never wanted to go to the parliament, never wanted to attack the parliament," he said.

As the dust settles from these tumultuous events, concerns are rising about the potential for future unrest, especially with elections approaching in six months. Acharya warned, "Most of the content used during this was either rumors or content that was very easy to identify as misinformation. What will happen if people have time to plan for this?" The ongoing situation in Asia highlights the complex interplay between social media, political activism, and the potential for misinformation to shape public sentiment.