I’m writing to you today in defence of Gen Z. It’s a generation often painted as a cohort of tech addicted, overly sensitive loners who don't know how to hold a relationship or do their jobs without complaining… (I should know, I'm one of them).

Now, armed with smartphones and a shared cultural language, young people are toppling governments and motivating systemic change.

From Morocco to Madagascar, Nepal to Peru, the Gen Z Protest movement is challenging how the world sees young people and rewriting the rules of political resistance.

Let’s get into it.

Generation Z refers to those born roughly between 1997 and 2012 – the kids who came of age during the advent of social media and a changing climate.

Throughout history, younger generations have led social justice movements, but the term “Gen Z Protests” was first popularised a few months ago following a youth-led movement in Nepal.

Tensions erupted in the South Asian country in September. Thousands of young demonstrators took to the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, demanding an end to government corruption and the reversal of restrictions on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms.

Young people argued the social media ban was an attempt to silence political expression, following widespread frustration over corruption, nepotism, economic stagnation and the feeling that the youth were being excluded from decision-making and opportunities.

Thousands of injuries and at least 72 deaths have been linked to the Nepalese protests. The scale of the action and subsequent police violence captured global attention. The movement, branded “Nepal’s Gen Z Protests” flooded social media. It was just the beginning.

Similar protests began popping up across Asia, Africa and South America, in the wake of the youth action in Nepal.

​​The immediate triggers for these protests varied from country to country.

In Madagascar, chronic water and electricity outages sparked demonstrations in late September.

In Morocco, the deaths of several pregnant women in public hospitals led to protests, as young demonstrators pointed to massive infrastructure spending ahead of the 2030 World Cup, contrasted by a crumbling healthcare system.

In Indonesia, deadly protests broke out over the high salaries of parliamentarians in a country where many young people can’t afford essentials.

Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student and protester in Madagascar told NPR, "We are going through the same things, and it gave us the courage to rise up and demonstrate."

While each protest is motivated by diverse reasons, they share a mission to challenge “the rise of authoritarian practices that we're witnessing all across the world,” according to Amnesty International Australia campaigner Nikita White.

White said Gen Z sees these protests as a “moral necessity” in the face of growing corruption.

The globalised nature of social media sets these protests apart from previous generations. They are being organised through TikTok videos, encrypted messaging apps, and Discord servers.

In Morocco, an anonymous collective known as "GenZ 212" increased its presence from 3,000 to 150,000 members in just days. The platform allows users to create and join "servers" where they can hold open forums, share resources and even vote on how an action should be organised.

In Nepal, protesters even turned to Discord to elect an interim prime minister after toppling the government. It was the first time a digital democracy has had such a clear say in an election. The vote also saw the first woman elected to lead Nepal’s government, with Sushila Karki appointed Prime Minister last month.

White told TDA it speaks “how creative these young people are,” as well as “the reality of how harsh their lives are and the human rights abuses they're facing.”

A flag that features a skull wearing a straw hat has become a visual symbol of this protest movement.

The image comes from the popular Japanese manga “One Piece”.

It first appeared at protests in Indonesia in October 2023, before spreading to Nepal, the Philippines, Morocco, and Peru.

In Madagascar, protesters modified the flag, replacing the straw hat with a bucket hat traditionally worn by the Betsileo ethnic group.

A three-finger salute has been observed across pro-democracy youth protests in Hong Kong, Thailand and Myanmar – a nod to a symbol of resistance used in the Hunger Games.

These versatile online networks are particularly difficult for law enforcement to dismantle.

There are no headquarters to raid, no leaders to arrest, no organisational structure to dismantle

Despite this, protestors still face increasing violence and punishment at the front lines of demonstrations.

In Indonesia, eight young protestors are facing up to 12 years imprisonment for using social media to engage in peaceful protests.

Amnesty International has been tracking cases like these, and White says it’s a common story across the world.

“ What we've witnessed over the last couple of months is a pretty consistent response to peaceful protests with violence by security forces,” she said, “that includes use of live ammunition and tear gas.”

The non-profit is backing calls for a United Nations “Torture-Free Trade Treaty”.

The plan would introduce regulations around importing and exporting equipment like rubber bullets, tasers, pepper spray and tear gas, to minimise how they are used against protesters.

According to White, the treaty would “ make sure that these weapons don't end up in the hands of governments who are using them to kill [and] injure protesters”.

The UN Human Rights office said: “It is crucial for the world to have a powerful mechanism to prevent the continuous human rights violations inflicted due to the misuse of such tools.”

As 2025 draws to a close, the Gen Z protest wave shows no signs of slowing down. inequality, and authoritarian governance.

But will we see our very own version of these youth demonstrations here in Australia?

White thinks it’s possible.

“In a lot of ways, they already are here,” she said.

The Amnesty International campaigner pointed to recent protests “in support of Palestinians…. about climate change and climate inaction, and a lot of that is also linked to inequality.”

Needless to say, a new generation has been well and truly mobilised.

“ These young people are trying to create a better, fairer world, even in the face of violence.”

ROLLiN’ is celebrating 4 years and giving back in a big way

4 lucky winners will each score $4k cash – all you have to do is hold or take out a policy and opt in via the email you receive from ROLLiN’ by 30 October to go in the draw.

Don’t miss your chance, $4K could be just a policy away!

Even better? Use code TDA10 and you can score up to 10% off your base premium for six consecutive months when you take out a new ROLLiN’ Comprehensive Car Insurance policy by 30 November 25*.

_{^{ROLLiN’s 4th Birthday Draw : Entry is only open to Australian residents 18 years and over, who hold an active ROLLiN’ Insurance policy and receive the promotional email. Ends 30/10/25 11:59pm AEDT. Limit 1 entry per person. See full T&Cs <rollininsurance.com.au/4thbdayterms>. Permit No’s: ACT TP 25/02190, SA T25/1672 and NSW NTP/14483.}}

_{^{*T&Cs apply. Minimum premiums may apply. Discounts will only apply until the minimum premium is reached (where a minimum premium applies). General advice only. Always read the PDS. PDS and TMD available from Rollin’ Insurance at rollininsurance.com.au}}