🌈 Research Report on Exploring Online Safety Experiences among LGBTQIA+ Youth of Nepal
The internet is a vibrant world of connection and discovery. But for LGBTQIA+ youth in Nepal, it’s a landscape of both vital community and pervasive risks.
Our new research, “Exploring Online Safety Experiences among LGBTQIA+ Youth of Nepal,” launched on July 27, 2025, powerfully illuminates the digital realities faced by the nation’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth.
Conducted among 100 young adults from the LGBTQIA+ community, the research provides comprehensive insights into online practices, challenges, and the urgent need for safer digital environments.
Fear of expression
For Nepal’s LGBTQIA+ youth, social media is central: 96% use Facebook, spending an average of 6.75 hours daily connecting, learning, and exploring identity. It’s often a crucial escape from offline discrimination, a place to find community and partners.
Social media provides them with a space to express their feelings, connect with new people, and embrace their own selves. It can be a good platform for sharing experiences and finding support from like-minded individuals.
— Government Agency Key Informant
But this vital digital space comes with a stark reality: 57% of respondents feel unsafe sharing their gender identity online, shadowed by fear of discrimination and privacy concerns.
Social media feels like a double-edged sword. It’s where I found a supportive and understanding community, but it’s also where I feel most vulnerable.
— FGD Participant
The Pervasive Threat of Online Abuse
Our report reveals widespread and unacceptable online abuse. Among those who have experienced harm:
- 59% were victims of “doxing” (non-consensual sharing of private information).
- 89% endured verbal harassment.
- 69% faced unwanted sexting.
Sometimes I get explicit messages on social media by strangers and images without my consent. It makes me feel very uncomfortable and unsafe, so I blocked several accounts to protect myself.
~ FGD Participant
A critical finding: 82% of individuals experiencing online abuse do NOT report it. This widespread silence highlights significant gaps in support and a deep hesitation to seek help, often due to fear. Compounding this, nearly half (48%) are unaware of existing legal protections.
I did not report because I was scared people were going to ask me too many questions. I felt overwhelmed by the thought of reliving the experience and facing judgement from others.
~ FGD Participant
These findings underscore the urgent need for action. A clear message emerges from the youth themselves: 92% of respondents believe government action is essential for online safety.
“Drawing insights from youth voices, this research provides a vital roadmap for driving systemic change towards developing targeted interventions, enhancing digital literacy, and advocating for more inclusive and protective online environments for LGBTQIA+ youth across Nepal,” stated Dr. Ponpandi Thangam, Country Director for India and Nepal at Terre des Hommes Netherlands.
📘 Access the Study
The study was led by the Department of Gender Studies at Tribhuvan University, with collaborative support from the international NGO Terre des Hommes Netherlands and the local NGO Women Youth Empowerment in Social Service and Human Rights (WYESHR), and two local LGBTQIA+ rights organisations: Queer Nepal and Voice of Voiceless.
