Experts call for strict regulations as smartphones steal spotlight from books

In an era when the tactile pleasure of turning a page is swiftly being replaced by the tap of a screen, the age-old adage ‘Books are man’s best friend’ seems to be fading into obscurity.

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Once, books were cherished companions, offering solace and insight across the spectrum of human emotions — joy, sorrow, excitement and despair. Today, however, the omnipresence of smartphones and the allure of social media have diverted both students and adults from the enriching habit of reading.

A recent study by the National Literacy Trust has revealed an alarming decline in reading habits among children in India. According to the survey, only 34.6 per cent of children aged 8 to 18 enjoy reading in their free time, a sharp drop from previous years. Experts warn that the decline is not just about books — it reflects a broader shift in cognitive and social engagement among the younger generation.

Prof MP Singh, president of the Coaching Federation of India’s Punjab Unit, attributes this erosion of reading culture to smartphone addiction. “Students are not only distancing themselves from books but also from real-world social interactions. This addiction is negatively affecting their mental, emotional and social development,” he said.

Recalling earlier times, Singh pointed out how families once encouraged reading as a shared experience. Elders read scriptures like the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita, parents engaged with newspapers and magazines and children followed their example. “Today, the family environment has changed. Instead of books, screens dominate our homes,” he added.

To combat this decline, Singh stressed the need for strict regulations, even suggesting a ban on smartphones for students under 18. “Young children, especially those between the ages of 4 and 7, are at a crucial stage of brain development. Overexposure to screen can lead to lower cognitive abilities, impaired attention spans and hinder the development of critical life skills like empathy and problem-solving,” he explained.

The problem extends beyond schools. With the rise of learning apps, even toddlers are being introduced to digital education, further distancing them from books. “Parents proudly enroll their three-year-olds in mobile-based learning programmes. But if a child is exposed to screens from such an early age, how will they ever understand the joy of reading a physical book,” educationists questioned.

Teenagers themselves admit to losing interest in traditional reading. Kavyansh, a 16-year-old student, said he found library sessions boring. “We don’t enjoy reading encyclopaedias and science books. What interests us are stories about real people who have overcome struggles and achieved success. We listen to podcasts about billionaires and that’s very interesting,” he shared.

Dr Inderpal Singh, Dean of Research & Examination and Head of Management at Lyallpur Khalsa College Technical Campus, believes that reviving reading habits requires structural changes. “Strengthening libraries, making good books more accessible and organising reading competitions with rewards can encourage students to develop a habit of reading,” he said, adding that setting designated reading times, minimising digital distractions and choosing engaging material is important to reignite interest in books.