Why book
reading habit is declining
Not so far, there was a time when everywhere in journey, in
coffee house, and other places people
were seen carrying and many times reading a book. It was a normal feature, in
fact book reading was considered most important off time activity. Now time has
gradually changed to a situation where everywhere , you see people carrying a
mobile or Laptop. It appears , no one is interested in book reading. I am not talking about career or course books
, which people still reads for examination purposes. Many sociologists feel
that this is not a healthy sign . Changing habits of masses may leads to some
very dangerous situation , particulary with personality development.
Now first analyse why book reading habit is falling so
rapidly.
1. Digital Distraction – With the rise
of smartphones, streaming platforms, social media, and gaming, people often
choose quick, engaging digital content over long-form reading. Everything is
available in fraction of seconds with a single touch or push button . Why go
for lengthy process of searching and finding a book.
2. Shorter
Attention Spans – Constant scrolling and bite-sized content like reels, tweets, shorts etc have reduced people’s patience and focus,
making it harder to commit to the slow, immersive process of reading books.
3. Busy
Lifestyles & Time Pressure – Modern work schedules, long commutes,
and daily stress leave little leisure time, so reading often takes a backseat
compared to more passive activities like watching videos.
4. Shift
in Information Consumption – People now rely on online articles,
blogs, podcasts, and audiobooks to get information quickly instead of reading
full-length books.
5. Decline
in Reading Culture & Motivation – Peer influence, lack of
encouragement at home/schools, and fewer community initiatives promoting
reading reduce people’s natural inclination toward books.
Now let us assess its impact on our body and mind. Five
distinct effects are certainly visible:
1. Reduced Attention Span -Constant
exposure to fast digital content makes the mind restless, reducing the ability
to focus deeply on one task.
2. Weaker
Critical Thinking/Imagination-Reading books develops imagination,
creativity, and analytical skills. Without it, people may struggle with
original thinking and rely more on digital unvarified information.
3. Decline in Communication &
Vocabulary Skills-Excess digital gadgets use limits vocabulary growth,
weakens expression, and reduces the ability to communicate thoughtfully.
4. Increased
Anxiety & Emotional Instability-Overexposure to social media,
gaming, or digital comparisons can make a person more anxious, impatient, and
emotionally reactive compared to the calm mindset nurtured by reading.
5. Loss
of Empathy & Depth in Personality-Reading, especially stories and
literature, builds empathy by allowing readers to step into others’ lives.
Without this, a person may become more self-centered and less emotionally mature.
Now what should we do ? What is the solution?
We are fully aware that in today’s world digital gadgets are necessary. You
simply can’t ignore it. So let us summarise some practical solution:
1. Digital-Reading
Balance
o
Set aside at least 20–30 minutes daily for book
reading (physical or e-books) alongside digital use.
2. Mindful
Screen Time
o
Limit unnecessary scrolling by using app timers,
focus modes, or scheduled “digital detox” breaks.
3. Use
Technology for Learning
o
Choose educational apps, e-libraries, or
audiobooks that promote knowledge instead of only entertainment.
4. Strengthen
Offline Habits
o
Build non-digital hobbies (journaling, painting,
outdoor activities) to balance gadget use and reduce dependency.
5. Encourage
Reading Culture
o
Join book clubs, reading challenges, or family
reading hours to make books a social and enjoyable habit.
May habit of book reading never stops…..
