How reading habits are changing in the digital age

Let's be honest, how often do you consult a book for information these days, especially if you need to know the answer quickly? With information available in a matter of seconds using online search engines, it is clear that the Internet has changed the way we inform ourselves.

The end of "deep reading"

In the age of social media, audiences are becoming increasingly accustomed to short-form content. Popular social network app TikTok allows users to scroll through endless videos in seconds, each one offering something new to stimulate the sense. However, several studies show that these habits can become problematic, as we get more used to reading on a superficial level and therefore think less about the information we receive. This in turn can mean we remember less of the content we are consuming, and as a result, the habit of "deep" or thorough reading is getting lost.

Reading in a slow and concentrated manner is good for our well-being: it can help develop a sense of empathy, as the reader is more likely to acknowledge perspectives of others. There are even more benefits: reading is relaxing, and researchers say that people who read are more likely to live longer, because the habit stimulates the brain and helps it stay fit.

Another significant change in the world of reading is electronic books, or e-books. Reassuringly, whether we read a long text on an e-reader or in a physical book has no impact on a person's ability to concentrate, as e-book screens are designed to replicate those of physical copies.
A person who reads a text digitally is able to remember the content just as much as someone who read it physically. However, digital readers may have more difficulty putting events from the text back into the correct order.

Researchers believe that the physical act of turning pages in a book helps with this recollection. Children in particular are better able to appreciate where they are in the story when they are holding a book in their hands, and feeling the weight of the pages turning.

However, it must be said that e-books have their advantages - they are practical, take up virtually no space, and are easy to transport anywhere.

Is the younger generation losing their enthusiasm for reading?

It is advised to read to children as much as possible from an early age in order to encourage them to read. If parents set a good example, it will encourage the child's curiosity, as well as assisting in their development. The act of reading improves concentration, vocabulary, creativity and goes a long way towards preparing a young child for school.

There is definitely a trend among young people to seek information online, rather than in print media, but this does not mean that the general interest in reading has diminished. Movies cannot replace books - books allow the reader to experience the story through their own eyes, while a film leaves less space for creativity and imagination. Last, but not least, social media has displayed a positive impact on book sales. Book lovers flock to TikTok ("BookTok"), Instagram and YouTube to share their thoughts on new releases and old favourites, with trends reflected in sales figures.