Adolescents and teenage girls across Nepal are part of an online world that was almost unimaginable even a generation ago. Over 16.5 million Nepalese are active online today, driven by rapid smartphone expansion and widespread access to social networks. There are nearly as many social media accounts, and many of these are women and young adolescents, who navigate an online world of seemingly endless content. According to the demographic health survey, approximately 65.6 percent of women are today online, and many of these are active on a daily basis. The highest user groups are youths, with 79.2 percent of 20–24-year-olds using the internet and 73.9 percent between the ages of 15 and 19. These figures represent transformative shifts in how our society communicates, learns, and connects. Whether in remote corners of Nepal or in busy urban centres, adolescents today participate in online discussions, debates, and shared experiences like never before. Across our cities, teenage girls can be seen practicing new dance routines on rooftops for social media. In rural villages that take days to reach by road, young people are downloading K-pop songs, listening to podcasts, and discovering global culture. Digital technology has opened an extraordinary window into the world, but it has also opened a door to new risks. A growing threat that we must confront Alongside its opportunities, the digital world has also created a darker, more dangerous space where women and girls, especially adolescent girls face increasing levels of harm. Technology has become a new avenue for the same gender-based violence that has long existed offline, and in many cases, the online environment intensifies the abuse and leads to long-lasting harm to survivors. The Nepal Police Cybercrime Bureau reports a surge in online crimes targeting women and girls between 2023 and 2024. Of the 19,730 cybercrime cases registered nationally, 8,745 were filed by women – a striking number that likely represents only a fraction of the true scale. Many survivors remain silent due to fear of retaliation, stigma, or blaming attitudes from families and authorities. A 2024 World Vision Nepal survey of adolescents aged 13 to 18 revealed alarming patterns of online risk: 13 percent reported experiencing online harassment, 21 percent had faced some form of online abuse, and 16 percent had encountered fake online identities. Most concerning, 6 percent of respondents said they had plans to meet in person with someone they had only interacted with online – a high-risk behavior that exposes young people to significant potential harm. Unfortunately, digital gender-based violence is not confined to the most vulnerable. It affects women and girls across all backgrounds. Even high-profile female content creators and bloggers face cyberbullying, threats, and intimidation. As a father of two adolescent daughters, these realities are not abstract statistics to me. I see firsthand how deeply connected young people are to the digital world and how important it is to ensure that this space is one where they can grow, learn, and express themselves without fear. It is every parent's hope that their children will be safe both offline and online. But hope alone is not enough. Action is required. Actions today can shape the future As technology evolves, the threats to adolescent girls will multiply unless Nepal acts decisively. Recognizing this urgency, UN agencies have identified five core strategies that can guide Nepal towards a safer digital environment for girls and young women. These strategies are relevant not only for policymakers, but also for parents, teachers, technology companies, and communities across the country. Strengthen legal protection Nepal needs legislation that is survivor-centered, proportionate, and aligned with international standards. As online harms evolve, laws must keep pace with issues like deepfakes, extortion, and identity theft. Survivors of technology-facilitated violence must have access to timely remedies and justice systems that treat digital violations seriously. Law enforcement must be equipped to address online harm with sensitivity, confidentiality, and technical expertise to ensure women and girls feel safe reporting incidents. Invest in prevention strategies Digital literacy and online safety education must begin early and involve parents, teachers, and caregivers. Children need guidance on consent, privacy, healthy relationships, and respectful online communication long before they become active online users. Prevention also requires addressing harmful gender norms that influence behavior online. Schools and families must work together to raise young people who treat each other with dignity both online and offline, while integrating safe internet use into life-skills and sexuality education. Promote digital safety and tech accountability Social media and technology companies have a critical responsibility to design safer digital spaces. A safety-by-design approach that embeds privacy, security, and survivor-focused features can prevent harm before it occurs. This includes better reporting tools, age protections, and proactive detection of harmful content. Safe digital spaces cannot rely only on the vigilance of children or their parents; platforms must do their part. Provide quality, age-appropriate responses Support services, including psychosocial counselling and legal aid, must adapt to digital forms of harm. Frontline gender-based violence service providers need training to recognize technology-related abuse and to handle digital evidence effectively. Clear protocols, consistent terminology, and adolescent-friendly services will ensure responses are timely, confidential, and centered on survivors' needs. Strengthen evidence and research To close gaps, Nepal needs stronger data on online abuse and its impacts, including how different groups of girls' experience harm. Research helps identify drivers of digital violence and shows which interventions work. Better evidence also supports policymakers, service providers, and communities to respond effectively and invest in eliminating digital violence against women and girls. The way forward: a shared responsibility As we commence the United Nations' 16 Days of Activism for 2025, it is important to recognize that protecting girls online is not the responsibility of one sector alone. Government must strengthen laws and enforcement. Schools must teach digital literacy. Parents must stay engaged with their children's online lives. Technology companies must design safer platforms. And communities must challenge harmful norms that shame survivors and excuse perpetrators. There is no single quick fix. But with survivor-centered, age-appropriate, adolescent-focused digital safety strategies, Nepal can build an online environment where girls and young women feel secure, respected, and empowered, an environment where daughters like mine, and like yours, can thrive. Ending digital gender-based violence is essential not only for safety today, but for equality tomorrow. The future of Nepal's girls depends on the choices we make now. Haridass is the Country Representative a.i. for UNFPA Nepal