As far as popularity goes, few other websites on the Internet quite match Facebook. But the site that gets the youth most excited these days–besides the ubiquitous and insanely popular ‘social network’ just mentioned, that is–is definitely YouTube.

YouTube gives us the privilege of watching videos, news, songs and movies of our choice at our leisure. What’s more, we can post our own videos whenever we feel like sharing it with the world and comment on what we think of others’ videos as well. From watching Nigahiga videos to the latest news on One Direction, the video-sharing site makes all sorts of information accessible to us.

The most exciting aspect of YouTube, however, the one that has the most appeal for youngsters, seems to be the fact that they can upload their own videos and have fun covering everything from a popular YouTube celebrity video or an extremely popular song. Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass alone spawned at least one YouTube celebrity. Little Sophia Grace Brownlee from the UK managed to charm her way into the hearts of millions with her cover of the song and it is well-known that before stars like Justin Beiber became famous, they had their own YouTube channels.

In Nepal as well, many youngsters have found that YouTube is a brilliant outlet for their creative energies. Rajiv Shahi, Pragesha Ghimire, Zalin Mia and Kushal Poudel are just four among the possibly dozens of Nepali teenagers who post videos on YouTube on a regular basis. The four students and amateur videographers are from completely unrelated backgrounds and their interests are as different as chalk and cheese. While Rajiv loves imitating and mimicking characters of interest, Kushal and Pragesha post covers of songs they truly love. Zalin, on the other hand, dances and acts, two things he loves doing, in his YouTube videos.

The four are examples of how diverse talents can find a common outlet on YouTube. The site has become a medium for them to showcase their unique capabilities not only amongst a small group of friends but the whole wide world.

Browse through all the videos that Rajiv has posted and you will immediately see that comedy is his forte. There are plenty  of funny videos to the young YouTube enthusiast’s credit; from skits inspired by the Ellen show to stories of teenage break-ups, you will find everything from the darkly humorous to insanely hilarious here. “The world is small and social-networking sites are making it smaller. My posting videos online is a way for me to bring the world closer, I suppose,” says Rajiv. “When people take a look at the list of videos I have posted on YouTube, they will obviously have different reactions. While some might find the videos useful, they might be only a means of passing time when they’re bored, for others.”

Pragesha, on the other hand, has a very different take on why she posts her videos online. “I used to be very shy as a child,” she says. “Stage fright has always been a big issue for me and YouTube is great for me because it eliminates the need for me to face a public. I can sit in my room, take a video and do things my own style. All I have to do is face the camera. There will be no shouts or claps or cheers of jeers once I’ve finished singing and I am not constantly aware of the audience’s gaze,” she adds. “The really fun part is that even if you make mistakes, you can always take another shot and post the one you like best.”

Kushal too likes the fact YouTube makes it possible for you to take as many shots as you want and post only the best take. An aspiring singer who is always looking to improve himself, Kushal says that one of the best aspects of being able to post videos on YouTube is that it opens up your work to a wide audience. “When you see the comments posted for your video, you receive feedback on the quality of your performance,” he says. “I have discovered a lot about my strengths from the comments posted for my videos. All criticisms are most welcome,” he continues. “When people from all over the world comment on your work that is certainly helpful. It’s very different from a group of friends encouraging you on Facebook.”

Zalin, on the other hand, is more of a nature person. His videos are all stunning compositions, often taken out of doors and always replete with beauty. “Whenever I am watching a video, I relate myself to the surroundings,” he says. “That is exactly the kind of feeling I want others to have when they are watching videos shot by me. For me, posting videos on YouTube is a means of self-contentment. It makes me glad when people appreciate my effort.”

Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, musician, actor, comedian or simply someone who’s looking to pass time, YouTube makes it possible for you to share your story with the world. The trend, as seen among the youth of Kathmandu, might only be a hobby for most, but what the video-sharing site makes possible is worth a whole lot.