A decade ago, young people would often pick up a book when they had free time. They would go to the library after school and share novels with their friends. They read every day. It was simply what they did.
Nowadays, things are different. If you go to a café, a waiting room, or a bus stop, you will see that young people are not holding books. They are holding their phones.
This change did not happen suddenly. As people started using smartphones to look at social media and watch quick videos, these things slowly replaced the activities that used to take up more of their time. Reading is one of the things that has been replaced. The digital age has made it easy for us to get information and entertainment.
It has also created a problem. Are people reading less because they no longer think books are valuable, or is it because they just can’t resist digital content? No, the answer is not about the books—it’s about technology competing for our attention.
Social media platforms are made to keep people engaged for as long as possible. When you swipe, you get another video, another post, or another notification. There is always something on the screen. It feels okay to spend a few minutes scrolling. Those minutes can easily turn into an hour without you even noticing.
Reading cannot compete with that kind of stimulation because it requires patience. This is what makes reading special. It is an activity. That is where its value comes from. A book does not rush you or give you a reward every few seconds.
Instead, it asks you to focus, imagine, and think. These are skills that get stronger with practice. When young people spend most of their time watching videos, they miss out on the chance to build these skills.
This does not mean that technology is bad. Phones help us communicate, learn things, and get information quickly. Digital books and online libraries have even made reading more accessible. The problem starts when entertainment takes over, and scrolling becomes a habit. Technology should be a tool that helps us, not something that takes up all our time.
Reading has a lot of benefits that go beyond just passing a test. It helps you learn words, naturally improves your writing, and makes it easier to express your ideas clearly. Someone who reads regularly is often better at organizing their thoughts, understanding different viewpoints, and communicating with confidence.
Books also help you think critically. Unlike watching a video, reading encourages you to connect ideas, question arguments, and think before you come to a conclusion. These habits are important in a world where false information spreads quickly on social media.
Young people who read are often better at telling the difference between facts and opinions because they have learned to examine information. There is another benefit of reading that people often do not notice: it gives your brain a chance to slow down.
Social media moves quickly. You can go from watching a video to reading news to laughing at a joke in just a few seconds. This can keep your mind busy but not satisfied. It can even make you feel mentally tired after spending several hours on it.
Reading is different. It lets your mind focus on one story or idea at a time. It can give you a sense of calm.
Research has shown that reading regularly is good for your brain health in the long run.1 People who keep reading throughout their lives tend to stay mentally active as they get older. Some studies suggest that reading may even reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. While reading is not a guarantee against these conditions, it is another reason why reading is a valuable habit.
Telling people to read more is not likely to make a difference. People do not form good habits just because someone tells them to. They form them when they understand the value of it and find something in it they can enjoy.
A teenager who does not like literature might love mystery novels, biographies, science fiction, or books about business. The goal is not to make everyone read the same books but to help them find something that makes them want to keep reading.
Small changes can make a difference. Reading for twenty minutes before bed instead of scrolling through social media, carrying a book during your commute, or putting your phone away during meals can help you get back into the habit of reading again.
These choices may seem small, but over time, they can change how your mind develops by changing where you direct your attention.
The digital age is here to stay, and we do not have to reject it. The challenge lies in using technology without letting it replace the things that make our lives better.
Reading a book may not be as fast as watching a video, but it offers a chance to gain knowledge, imagination, stronger thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of the world.
References
- National Geographic. “Reading and Cognitive Activity.” Accessed January 15, 2026. www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/reading-longevity-brain-health. (A landmark 14-year study that found that adults who regularly engaged in mentally stimulating activities, such as reading, experienced significantly slower rates of cognitive decline than those who did not.)
- “Reading and Risk of Dementia.” Neurology, July 2021. (This study found that people who read regularly had a lower risk of developing dementia, compared to those who did not. Reading improves memory, attention span, and processing speed in older adults.)
- Rush University Medical Center. “Cognitive Activities and Alzheimer’s Risk Reduction.” Neurology. (Study found that reading, writing, and learning foreign languages reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by nearly 40 percent, confirming a direct link between cognitive activity and the slowing of cognitive decline.)
