From Scroll to Success: How Baakhapaa is Revolutionizing Screen Time in Nepal

Rakesh Rajbhat 07 Sep 2025

Nepal's recent social media ban has left millions of users and creators in a digital limbo. With platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram now inaccessible, content creators have lost their primary stage for showcasing their work and earning a living. For general users, the void is equally disorienting, disrupting their go-to sources for news, entertainment, and connection.

In this moment of uncertainty, a Nepali-founded startup, Baakhapaa, offers a compelling new paradigm. Instead of just replacing a lost platform, it redefines the very nature of digital engagement. Its core philosophy, "Play, Learn, Earn", transforms screen time from a passive activity into a rewarding investment.

For Content Creators: A New Stage with a Built-in Audience

Traditionally, creators on platforms like YouTube had to overcome a massive hurdle: the algorithm. Their success was at the mercy of a complex system that decided who saw their content, and earning a living often required meeting strict eligibility criteria like a minimum number of subscribers and watch hours. The new ban has added another layer of uncertainty, affecting monetization programs that had just been launched in Nepal.

Baakhapaa provides a different path. It’s an all-in-one storytelling platform that directly monetizes engagement. Creators are not just judged by views, but by the value they provide to the audience. Through quests and challenges tied to their content, creators can offer a tangible incentive for users to watch and interact. This model fundamentally shifts the relationship, ensuring that creators are rewarded for their educational and creative contributions, not just for their ability to go viral.

A content creator on Baakhapaa can:

Monetize through challenges: Design quizzes, puzzles, or treasure hunts within their story-based videos. Users who complete these challenges earn points, and creators can earn a cut of the revenue.

Sell merchandise directly: Place their own products within the in-app marketplace, allowing users to buy them with earned points or cash.

Build a committed community: With rewards tied to educational progress and content interaction, Baakhapaa fosters a dedicated user base that is committed to the content, providing a more stable and engaged audience than on conventional platforms.

For Users: Your Time is a Valuable Asset

The endless scroll of social media can feel like a time sink, providing a momentary dopamine hit but little lasting value. Baakhapaa challenges this notion by framing screen time as a productive investment.

Users on Baakhapaa are called "players". They can earn points for watching educational videos, participating in quizzes, and contributing content. These points are not abstract metrics; they are an in-app currency that can be redeemed for real-world rewards, including cash and merchandise. It’s a powerful incentive that turns learning and entertainment into an opportunity to earn.

The app’s a gamified approach makes learning an enjoyable journey rather than a chore. By engaging with stories rooted in Nepali history, culture, and mythology, users gain knowledge and a deeper appreciation for their heritage while being rewarded for their time.

The Road Ahead

Baakhapaa is not just filling a void left by the social media ban; it’s building a new digital ecosystem centered on a more mindful and rewarding user experience. With its focus on local content, a robust points system, and tools for creators to directly monetize their work, Baakhapaa offers a sustainable model for the future of digital media in Nepal. It proves that screen time can be more than just a distraction—it can be an investment in yourself and your community.