In an era of phones and iPads being glued to the hands that once carried literature, reading has seen a major decline in the past 14 years. From 27 to 14 percent during 2012 to 2023, the excitement for reading in 13-year-olds has clearly lessened (University of Miami). This may be connected to the lessened critical thinking and increased reliance on AI, which acts as a crutch for the creativity deficiency among today’s youth. Reading needs to make a significant comeback in young adults to ensure better work ethic and proper development into adulthood.
While books were previously solely used for entertainment, they have come to be associated with academics and have unfortunately become more of a chore than hobby – but what does this shift mean for teens? Unlike on-screen entertainment, reading requires picturing characters and instinctually making assumptions on characters and their appearances in the book. This creative interpretation encourages new ideas and allows readers to explore a fictional universe that is more than mindless drama.
Along with that, the constant exposure to new vocabulary brings language and literacy learning into an enjoyable activity. Students can learn new phrases and spellings that remain applicable throughout their schooling and careers. The author may not even be in the area, leading an adolescent to learn not only a whole other lifestyle, but new slang and wording that expands their understanding of the world around them.
Though not all writers create books from personal experiences, each book is the result of a multitude of voices that have influenced that particular author. Therefore, books are works of many different voices all over the world; a compilation of emotions and experiences that act as a window into the mind of another person. This ability is unique to books and characterizes them as tools in promoting empathy and understanding of others on an emotional level. Reading from a variety of perspectives puts the reader in another’s shoes, opening their world to more viewpoints beyond their own.
Society can continue to promote books by creating an air of excitement surrounding reading, rather than the dread of having to complete it for credit. BookTok is a reading community on TikTok that has also been on the rise, using social media as a method to encourage new readers. This exposes teens otherwise not looking to read to various genres and styles, advocating for authors hoping to send a message, warning, or even a story of love.
Unlike online entertainment, books also require greater attention span, as each word needs to be read to compile a full story. With this kind of regular mental stimulation, the mind is exercised and is strengthened in other areas of attention to detail. Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience reports, “Reading has been proven to increase your focus, attention span, concentration, and to improve memory.”
As books become a more “trendy” activity again, students should use this tool for finding books catered to their own interests. No matter what that specific interest is, there are books for anyone and everyone. With the simple step of searching for a book of interest, one can acquire the many benefits that pertain to this hobby.
