CYBERBULLYING IN NEPAL: A GROWING PROBLEM WITH LIMITED LAWS

 

Cyberbullying has emerged as a serious and fast-growing social problem in Nepal, particularly with the rise of internet access, smartphone usage, and social media platforms. While digital technologies have opened new avenues for communication and self-expression, they have also created unregulated spaces where harassment, threats, and psychological abuse thrive—often targeting youth, women, minorities, and public figures. Despite the growing incidence and severity of such cases, Nepal's legal framework remains underdeveloped, fragmented, and poorly enforced, raising concerns about both justice for victims and the protection of digital rights.

The rapid digitization of Nepali society, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, has amplified online interaction but also exposed the population to new forms of vulnerability. Social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram are increasingly being used to harass, impersonate, or publicly shame individuals. Research has shown that adolescent girls and women are disproportionately targeted with gendered abuse, threats of sexual violence, and character assassination, leading to anxiety, depression, and in some cases, self-harm or withdrawal from public life (Ghimire & Shrestha, 2022). However, due to stigma, victim-blaming, and a lack of digital literacy, many incidents remain unreported.

While the problem is visible and escalating, Nepal’s legal response remains reactive and limited in scope. The primary legislation addressing online crimes is the Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) of 2006, which was designed in a pre-social media era and focuses more on e-commerce than on online abuse. Article 47 of the Act prohibits publishing “illegal content,” but the vague wording has led to arbitrary interpretations—sometimes even being used to suppress free speech rather than to protect victims of cyberbullying (Paudel, 2021). Furthermore, the absence of a clear legal definition of cyberbullying makes it difficult for law enforcement and courts to respond effectively.

In practice, victims often face bureaucratic hurdles, police indifference, and a lack of specialized cybercrime units—especially outside Kathmandu. As a result, cyberbullying cases are rarely investigated thoroughly, and perpetrators frequently go unpunished. Even when complaints are filed, the emphasis tends to be on mediation rather than prosecution, reinforcing a culture of impunity and silence (Thapa & Lamsal, 2023). Moreover, marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals, Dalits, and journalists—who often face targeted digital attacks—receive even less institutional support or recognition of their vulnerabilities.

Another critical issue lies in public awareness. Despite the growing number of users online, Nepal’s digital literacy remains low, particularly among rural populations and older generations. This gap not only leaves users unaware of their rights and protections but also impedes their ability to recognize and report cyber abuse. Furthermore, the lack of formal education programs on digital safety in schools or universities has allowed the normalization of online harassment among youth, with little understanding of its long-term psychological and social impacts (Karki & Rai, 2022).

On the positive side, there are emerging civil society and grassroots initiatives attempting to address cyberbullying through awareness campaigns, legal aid, and support groups. Organizations such as Digital Rights Nepal and Body & Data have played a significant role in documenting cases, lobbying for reform, and educating communities. However, their reach is limited, and their efforts are not yet supported by comprehensive state policy or institutional collaboration.

To move forward, Nepal needs a multifaceted approach. This includes reforming existing cyber laws to explicitly define and criminalize cyberbullying, training police and judicial officials on digital harms, and integrating digital rights into national education curricula. Just as importantly, the state must ensure that its cyber laws do not infringe upon freedom of expression or become tools of political suppression.

In conclusion, while cyberbullying is becoming a widespread and damaging phenomenon in Nepal, the country’s legal and institutional frameworks are not adequately equipped to respond. Without urgent legal reform, improved enforcement mechanisms, and greater public education, cyberbullying will continue to grow unchecked—silencing vulnerable voices and eroding trust in Nepal’s digital public sphere.

REFERENCES

Ghimire, S., & Shrestha, R. (2022). Gender-Based Cyber Violence in Nepal: A Study on Social Media Harassment. Journal of Media and Society, 5(1), 22–38.

Karki, P., & Rai, M. (2022). Youth and Cyber Ethics in Nepal: Awareness and Gaps. Nepal Journal of Digital Literacy, 3(1), 12–27.

Paudel, B. (2021). Outdated and Overstretched: Evaluating Nepal’s Cybercrime Legislation. Nepali Law Review, 9(2), 44–58.

Thapa, A., & Lamsal, D. (2023). Cyberbullying and Legal Response in Nepal: Between Invisibility and Inaction. Contemporary Legal Issues in South Asia, 7(2), 59–73.