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A new bill introduced in the Federal Parliament seeks to regulate social media platforms and users, sparking intense debate among lawmakers, digital rights activists, and the public. The Social Media Regulation Bill, tabled in the National Assembly, proposes stringent measures to curb misinformation, regulate platform operations, and enforce digital accountability. However, concerns over potential threats to freedom of expression and excessive governmental control have raised critical questions about its implications.

The bill mandates that all social media platforms operating in Nepal must obtain a government-issued license within three months of its passage. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, YouTube, and LinkedIn will be required to comply. Failure to do so will result in penalties ranging from Rs 2.5m to Rs 10m and a potential ban on operations within Nepal. For individual users, the bill outlines severe punishments for offenses such as creating fake accounts, spreading misinformation, cyberbullying, hacking, phishing, deepfake content creation, and sextortion, with penalties ranging from heavy fines to multiple years of imprisonment. Additionally, public officials found violating the law will receive a 50 percent increase in penalties, while crimes involving minors will result in additional prison sentences.

Nepal’s digital landscape has faced challenges such as misinformation, cybercrime, and online abuse, making a legal framework necessary for accountability. The rise of deepfakes, online scams, and social media-driven conflicts has created an urgent need for clear regulations. Ensuring that social media companies verify user identities and establish rapid-response mechanisms for complaint resolution is a step in the right direction. Moreover, requiring platforms to store and provide user data for legal investigations will strengthen law enforcement’s ability to tackle digital crimes effectively.

However, while the intent of regulation is justified, the execution raises significant concerns. The bill grants the government the power to order content removal without requiring court oversight. This level of unchecked authority could be misused, leading to arbitrary censorship of dissenting voices, investigative journalism, and politically inconvenient discourse. The ability to ban a platform simply for failing to meet licensing conditions could discourage global tech companies from operating in Nepal, limiting access to vital digital resources. Smaller startups and independent content creators would also struggle under such strict conditions.

Another issue is the vague language used in defining offenses. Terms like “misleading information” or “national interest” remain highly subjective, leaving them open to government interpretation. Criminalizing such behaviors instead of relying on platform-based moderation raises the risk of constraining free expression. Additionally, requiring platforms to store and provide user data without clearly outlining data privacy measures could lead to misuse and surveillance concerns. There is little reassurance that such regulations won’t be weaponized to target political dissidents or activists under the guise of national security.

The bill also requires foreign social media companies to set up local offices or appoint official representatives in Nepal. While this measure aims to ensure accountability, it may create barriers for international platforms that find compliance burdensome. In other countries, overly restrictive policies have led major platforms to limit their services, depriving citizens of diverse digital engagement opportunities. If Nepal follows this path, it risks isolating itself from the global digital economy.

Globally, different countries have tackled social media regulations with varying approaches. India’s IT Rules (2021) mandate content removal but require judicial oversight, while the EU’s Digital Services Act (2022) enforces moderation with strong user privacy protections. Meanwhile, China’s heavy-handed censorship policies serve as a cautionary tale of how overregulation can suppress online freedom. Nepal must ensure that its bill does not follow the latter’s trajectory. Instead of stifling innovation and free expression, it should focus on balancing security with digital rights.

The implications for content creators and social media users are significant. Under this bill, individuals who unknowingly share misleading information could face severe legal consequences. The distinction between intentional disinformation and accidental misinformation is not well defined, which could lead to legal repercussions for ordinary users. Furthermore, the bill allows authorities to monitor and track users extensively, raising concerns about mass surveillance and its potential chilling effect on online speech.

While the bill introduces strict penalties for cybercrimes such as phishing, hacking, and sextortion, it does not provide robust mechanisms for user education or digital literacy. Preventive measures should be emphasized alongside punitive actions. Instead of solely focusing on legal crackdowns, Nepal’s government should invest in digital awareness programs to educate users on responsible social media usage, recognizing misinformation, and securing their online presence.

One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is its approach to fake accounts. While cracking down on fake IDs is important to curb online abuse, enforcing real-name policies could backfire. Many users, especially activists, whistleblowers, and marginalized groups, rely on anonymity for safety. The absence of safeguards to protect these vulnerable users could deter individuals from engaging in online discussions about sensitive topics.

The requirement for content removal upon government request also raises ethical concerns. In democratic societies, freedom of speech is protected through judicial processes, ensuring that content takedown requests undergo legal scrutiny. This bill lacks such oversight, allowing authorities to unilaterally decide what qualifies as objectionable content. The absence of an independent review mechanism could lead to disproportionate enforcement, where criticisms against the government are swiftly removed under the pretext of national security.

The economic consequences of this bill could be far-reaching. If major social media platforms decide to exit Nepal due to restrictive compliance requirements, businesses that rely on digital marketing and e-commerce would suffer. Nepal’s growing digital economy could face setbacks, limiting opportunities for young entrepreneurs and professionals who depend on online platforms for income.

As this bill moves through Parliament, lawmakers must refine its provisions to ensure judicial oversight on content removal, clarify ambiguous terms, and implement strong data privacy safeguards. While addressing online abuse is crucial, broad legal frameworks should not suppress critical discourse or impose excessive restrictions on social media platforms. With digital rights becoming an increasingly important issue, public discourse on this bill will likely shape Nepal’s digital landscape for years to come. The challenge lies in finding the right balance—protecting users from harm while upholding the fundamental right to online expression.

If passed in its current form, this bill could set a dangerous precedent, giving the government excessive control over the digital space. While the need for accountability and regulation is valid, such policies must be carefully crafted to avoid unintended consequences. If Nepal truly wishes to foster a safe, free, and responsible digital environment, it must ensure that regulation does not become a tool for silencing voices but rather a means of promoting transparency and security. The coming weeks will determine whether Nepal takes a progressive step toward responsible digital governance or a regressive slide into digital authoritarianism.

Aishwarya Koirala

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

One of the most common yet complicated and sophisticated phenomena is parenting. While children may be born biologically healthy, the absence of a nurturing environment significantly impacts their development into healthy individuals. Child development expert Dr Gabor Maté points out that humans are essentially "prematurely born" compared to other species, emphasizing the prolonged developmental period of the human brain after birth.

Due to this extended developmental period, many dimensions of our nature, characteristics and personality are shaped by our primary socialization, that is our family and how we interact with them. Parenting is vast as an ocean; there are still many aspects yet to be discovered and analyzed, but we’ll be discussing only one aspect of it.

Suppose a parent goes to collect the academic report card of a son/daughter, who studies in grade 6 and is around 11 years old. The mark-sheet shows that the child has failed in three subjects. What kind of parent-child conversation will ensue on their way home and later? Part of the most common comment from a parent after seeing the mark-sheet may be like, “We’ve sacrificed so much for you, fulfilling your wishes while setting aside our own…” Though well-meaning, this sentiment can sometimes feel more like a guilt trip, leaving the child burdened with a sense of shame. A similar guilt trip and sense of disgrace grips children when parents encounter unwanted response/behavior from their wards. But have we ever thought as to why our children are responding and behaving in such a manner? Have we ever contemplated why our children are refusing to bother much with academics? Let’s consider a scenario to better grasp the reason.

Imagine someone gifted you a sapling of marigold flower—one that thrives in sunlight and fresh air—hoping it would make a perfect addition to your bedroom, placed elegantly in a beautiful pot beside your bed. And that gift, from someone truly special on a significant occasion, isn’t just an ordinary flower—it carries a deep emotional attachment. You diligently water it every day and provide the necessary nutrients it needs. After two weeks, you notice that the plant looks malnourished. Its leaves and flowers are slowly decaying and drying up. What really comes to your mind? Do you scold the plant, saying, 'I’ve watered you every day, given you all the nutrients you need—why aren’t you blooming? It’s your responsibility to blossom. You need to make me proud and justify my effort and emotional attachment.' 

Do you do this? Of course not because you’re not an idiot. Rather, you curiously search what went wrong and where. Upon googling, you’ll probably find out that the flower needs proper air and sunlight to blossom, and definitely create an environment where the plant can grow and blossom.

In the same way, do we ask similar questions while interacting with our children? Do we try to identify the elements in our parenting and how family relationship dynamics is impacting our children and is generating unwanted behavior in them? Or do we make them feel guilty by questioning their loyalty to our efforts and hardships? Does it serve our purpose? It does not. 

Now, let’s discuss how these kinds of behavior impact and hinder the development of children. We are demanding certain things from children, which they cannot give. It’s not that they don’t try, the reality is they can’t, they are not able to, they don’t know how to. This results in conflict within themselves, between what they are and they are not. A child often perceives and understands that their parents are struggling because of them. They see how much their parents have done for them and question whether they can ever pay for the sacrifices made. If children experience this sentiment repeatedly, they may begin to believe that their existence is the root of their parents' difficulties. This can lead to the conviction that if they had never been born, their parents’ lives would have been easier and more peaceful. This would make children feel responsible for their parents’ hardship and their struggle. They may even start to feel obligated to repay their parents' sacrifices—as if repaying a loan—rather than reciprocating love —a duty rather than a responsibility born out of love. When children internalize the idea that their existence has cost their parents so much, they may struggle with self-worth, feeling that they are a burden rather than a source of joy. This mindset may shape the child to avoid asking or demanding—not out of understanding their parents' limitations,  but because, as they were unable to alleviate their struggles, the least they feel they can do is avoid adding to their burden. This could further weaken the sense of dependency that is essential for children’s emotional and social development.

During adulthood, they may find difficulty in forming healthy relationships as they may constantly seek validation or fear being a liability to others. Interpersonal communication eventually translates into intrapersonal communication. They may eventually shape their self-image through the lens of their parents' perceptions. No matter how much one is able to achieve, they are programmed to connect with their inadequacy and their internalized shame. Their achievements often get overshadowed by what is missing in their life or what they have yet to accomplish. Because the concept of ‘I am not enough’ is so deeply ingrained in them that no amount of achievement during adulthood can cover the deep neglect endured during childhood. 

Now, let’s try to understand from the lens of parents the reasons behind this pattern of behavior. South Asian parents strive to offer more than what they themselves possess, weaving dreams from the threads of their sacrifices, which is perfectly alright. I am not questioning the parents’ intention behind it, rather I am condemning its results. Because actions and behavior driven by such intent come to interplay and influence the dynamics of our relationships. A common example of this unfolds when choosing a school for our children. We strive to enroll them in the best schools we can afford, pouring our resources into giving them the best opportunities. We endure countless hardships to provide as much as possible, yet often overlook the frustration that accompanies these struggles. Through such acts, aren’t we saying to our children, albeit unconsciously, ‘'Look, I’ve endured so much to give you the best. Now it’s your turn to justify my sacrifices by meeting my expectations, especially in academics and behavior”.

Aren’t we trying to compensate for our hardships through our children?

And children are not ready and able to pick this burden of expectation; they shouldn’t be. Research on parenting emphasizes that shielding them from these expectations allows them to explore and learn the many dimensions of life with joy and curiosity. More than that, as they lack the feeling of disgrace and burden, they will be able to depend emotionally on their parents.

Parents do not have to meet every demand or fulfill every whim of their children. While providing everything a child wants seems to be an act of love, it does the opposite of helping a child develop emotionally. Life will bring situations where a desire is expressed but not met, and that is one very important reason why parents need to prepare them for such instances.

But when parents opt to be present with their children during disappointment or frustration, rather than quickly solving the problem or giving them what they want, they provide something so much more valuable. They open the doors for teaching children to recognize, understand and manage their emotions, such as through feeling validation, naming the emotion and then guiding them toward constructive ways to cope.

This not only helps children learn to manage their emotions but also fosters an environment of trust and security. They come to understand that not every need or desire will be met, what’s more, they also learn to deal with the situation.

Lastly, this article is not intended to create guilt, rather its sole purpose is to raise awareness about how we are handling our children. If we strive for perfect parenting, then the need to be perfect will dawn on our children automatically.

Will we ever find peace in this chaos? It’s a question that lingers inside the mind of everyone stuck in Kathmandu’s endless traffic jams. Once a beautiful valley known for its quiet charm, Kathmandu today is trapped under a cacophonous din of honking horns and revving engines. 

The traffic of Kathmandu has become a nightmare for pedestrians and motorists alike. This mess isn’t just due to high numbers of vehicles on the streets; it’s the result of years of poor planning and neglect. Narrow roads built decades ago now struggle to handle the sheer number of vehicles. They are clogged with an endless stream of traffic. Morning and evening rush hours feel like an eternity.

It’s not just the roads that are overwhelmed but also the people’s mind and their hearts. The city itself seems to be staining under the weight of its own growth. While Kathmandu’s ancient temples and narrow alleyways tell stories of centuries past, its roads tell a different tale—one of crowd and chaos. 

Kathmandu is a city trapped in its own rhythm—one that feels unrelenting, exhausting ,and at times suffocating. The energy of the city is undeniable. What was once a place of peaceful spirituality now is locked in a constant rush. Once a steady beat of history , culture and community has become a noise, frustration and uncertainty. The city’s charm is still there, in its temple and its traditions but now it’s harder to hear over the blare of horns. Once the sounds of temple bells and sweet melodies filled the air, and the silence was loud enough to hear our own thoughts and understand each other’s emotions. But now, lost in the same cycle of frustration and rage the city’s noise drowns out everything—and in the midst of the chaos people can barely hear anything let alone their own thoughts. People are constantly swept away  by a surge of nostalgia—longing for a peace they once grew up with as they walk through chaotic streets.

The people who called Kathmandu home are no longer just navigating the streets , they are navigating the frustration and their weariness. Despite numerous attempts at reform from widening roads to introducing more efficient transportation systems, it seems to go into vain. The city’s leaders have long promised a solution, but it never seems to be enough. To see Kathmandu free from all these constant noises and traffic feels like a distant dream. As the city continues to grow, one can only wonder if Kathmandu will ever find a way to break free and return to the rhythm it once knew of. 

As the question still remains, how much longer can people stay trapped in a rhythm that can no longer serve them?

Shraddha Acharya

BSc, IInd Year 

Padma Kanya Campus

Santiago fell in love with the merchant’s daughter 

But as for this dream, needed to be slaughter 

Something great was destined by the universe 

He wondered as if his life was nothing but a curse 

On his way, he had to cross lots of hurdle 

And win the game, slowly like a turtle 

After a long journey, he finally got his treasure 

And Fatima, then everything got filled with pleasure

Shakshi Ojha

Grade XI

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar