entrepreneurship. But it has also enabled the shaping of narratives around conflict according to nationalist sentiments, the sharing of fake news and widescale propaganda, the proliferation of hate speech, misinformation, discrimination, and online abuse. This research attempts to explore the digital culture that is lived and shaped by youth in Myanmar considering the complexities they have had to navigate in Myanmar’s piece of the digital world. We look at the impact of the military coup and ensuing crises that has followed and ask the question: How do moments of political upheaval impact an individual and collective understanding of FoE? And, how does increasing (digital) repression affect the digital practices of a generation of youth, who have grown accustomed to expressing themselves online? In this study we look beyond statistics and user data online, and more closely at the motivations, rationalizations that are responsible for what manifests online, and in turn, manifest offline. It is through honest discussion protected by anonymity and close observation of online behavior, that we have attempted to gain insight into the thoughts and feelings guiding Generation Z (Gen Z) in the decisions they have been making online. We share what we have found in the hopes that it will lend itself to a better understanding of the people behind the screens and that may be of use when considering what is needed now, moving forward for a free, expressive (not harmful) diverse and tolerant, digital culture moving forward. Key findings from the report include: ► ► Gen Z, as they are known, have lived through a gradual expansion of democratic freedoms, inding FoE, and have deployed their advantage in this regard to great effect in resisting the coup. Young people have often been quick to adopt smart and sophisticated digital security techniques including end-to-end encryption such as is found in Signal or Telegram, or the use of VPN’s and TOR to access the internet. Careful vetting of online interactions are used to protect themselves from informants. New forms of protest and communication online have emerged to get around new surveillance measures introduced by the junta. The internet remains a powerfully important tool for activism and community organizing, including in response to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. ► ► ► Respondents have a strong sense that FoE entails personal responsibility, and where to draw the line is essential when envisioning a free, expressive (not harmful) diverse and tolerant, digital culture moving forward. In a context where effective regulation is so difficult, respondents to this study see selfdeliberation and self-imposed boundaries as the most important area of focus for promoting responsible exercise of FoE. This reflection has been informed by young people’s own experiences of venturing into grey areas or violent and discriminatory practice online, motivated by the pursuit of justice. The practice of social punishment targeting individuals has been an outlet for the propagation of discriminatory and harmful practices, such as gender-based discrimination. Yet the participants in this study were selfaware of the problematic nature of such practices. Social punishment as an online practice has since become less prevalent online and users have attributed this to a deeper understanding and empathy towards others and of themselves. The repercussions of political crises, prolonged repression, and internet fatigue that youth are experiencing now will cast a long shadow. Youth have expressed feeling tired, lost, de-motivated and even conflicted about their actions and motivations. In response to these finding, the report makes several recommendations to the international community - donors and donor governments and international NGOs – and others. These include: ► In order to dismantle the enabling conditions for hate speech, donors should dedicate time and resources towards projects that enable youth to identify the drivers, root causes and means for dissemination of hate speech, taking into account the current context. ► Digital technology should be supported as a means of expression, communication and societal development across geographical, religious, ethnic and ideological divides. Donors should invest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives designed for peace and development and that national and international organizations should continue to develop their ICT capacities to meet this potential. ► The need for more digital citizenship programming requires governing authorities and national organizations to focus heavily on the development of digital citizenship programmes in collaboration with youth and designed in a manner that resonates with the current climate and experiences. ► The importance of understanding and exercising free expression in society should be encouraged with healthy debate through online events, campaigns etc as a means to exercise free expression while reflecting on what this means for others. ► Promoting healthy digital practice as a key factor in quality of life requires donors to fund further study and programming designed to explore the concept of digital well-being in Myanmar ‘s digital landscape. Areas for further study include looking at social punishment more deeply. It is clear the internet has amplified such behaviors, but the extent to which it is rooted as a cultural or community practice is less clear. 7