Social media is bringing changes to the way people communicate and interact.
There is no definitive answer as to whether social media has a significant effect on reading habits. Studies often present conflicting conclusions, and various societal changes influence this variable. Some authors even argue that technological resources can encourage people to read more through mobile devices.
Do young people read more or less than before? Does social media affect reading habits? The technological advancements of recent years have led to major transformations in how people interact, live, and communicate. These changes have given rise to the interactive generation, characterised by the use of the Internet and social media not only as a tool for completing academic tasks but also for socialising and communication.
In the study “Interactive Generation” by Bringué Sala and Sádaba Chalezquer (2008), it is highlighted that one of the cultural practices most affected by the introduction of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) among children and young people aged 6 to 18 in Argentina is book reading.
Students Struggling with Academic TextsOne particularity of social media is that communication, especially among young people, follows its own style, which differs from traditional written language found in books. Some recent studies indicate increasing difficulties among university students in understanding academic texts, often turning reading into a challenging task. However, this is not an easy relationship to prove. The concern is not new, but there is still no conclusive answer to this issue.
Digital Platforms as an Opportunity for ReadingSome experts, such as Irene Picton from the National Literacy Trust, believe that reading habits and digital platforms can provide an opportunity to “keep reading relevant.” From this perspective, having a closed mindset may cause us to “overlook this opportunity.”
Study Shows Social Media Does Not Dictate Reading HabitsAccording to a study titled Reading Habits and Social Media Use from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Buenos Aires, Internet use negatively affects how individuals perceive the time they spend reading and studying. However, when comparing the actual time respondents dedicate to reading with their intensity of Internet and social media use, no significant correlation was found between these variables.
Thus, based on the analysed data, participation in social media does not seem to have a noticeable impact on reading habits or study time among first-year students. At the same time, the study observed that individuals who reduced their study time due to Internet use also decreased their reading time but did not cut down on social activities or other activities.
Source: Universia, 10/08/2018