As digital devices become increasingly prevalent, reading habits are shifting globally, with a growing preference for short-form content over traditional books. This transition is reflected in Singapore’s recent National Reading Habits Study 2024, which found that while 89 percent of adult respondents read more than once a week, only 28 percent reported reading books. The National Library Board has acknowledged this trend with the launch of the ReadSG national reading movement, highlighting a worldwide move toward skimmable, concise texts.
Supporting this observation, a 2024 global study noted a decline in time spent reading physical books, citing data from the American Time Use Survey that revealed average daily reading time for print books dropped from 21 minutes in 2005 to 16 minutes in 2018. Although digital platforms may increase the frequency of reading activities, the nature and depth of these engagements differ from traditional book reading.
Educational assessments underscore potential consequences of this shift. Singapore’s results in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed a decline in reading performance among 15-year-olds, with average scores decreasing from 543 in 2022 to 535 in 2025. The assessment highlighted a reduction in critical skills such as information evaluation, synthesizing ideas across sources, and critical thinking—competencies increasingly important in the era of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the proportion of students classified as “hasty readers,” who rush through text without careful comprehension, nearly doubled between 2018 and 2025 across participating countries.
Experts emphasize that different types of reading cultivate diverse cognitive skills. Gwee Li Sui, a poet, graphic artist, and literary critic, noted that books engage readers with complex ideas and encourage deeper reflection through re-reading and reconsideration. While literature stimulates creativity and imagination, other genres like history and political commentary provide insight into societal issues and varying perspectives. This variety in reading material fosters a more nuanced understanding of complex topics.
By contrast, the predominance of short-form text, often consumed on social media, risks limiting readers to a single mode of engagement. Gwee observed that despite increased reading frequency, comprehension and mutual understanding have not improved, partly due to the loss of subtlety and tone in brief online exchanges. Misinterpretations are common, and while emojis sometimes bridge communication gaps, they cannot replace the depth of meaning conveyed through longer texts.
The evolution of reading practices poses questions about what is gained and lost in the digital age. While accessibility and convenience have expanded the volume of reading, concerns remain about the impact on critical thinking, deep comprehension, and the ability to appreciate complexity through diverse literary forms.