As we all know, phones have slowly become our new reality. The majority of the population, from children as young as ten years old to older adults, now own either an iPhone or an Android. These tiny boxes have consumed much of our attention, leading to less face-to-face connection, increased online bullying, and rising rates of anxiety and depression worldwide, mostly in teenagers. At the same time, smartphones have undeniably brought benefits. They allow instant communication, provide endless entertainment, and offer fast, reliable access to information. However, despite their advantages, phones have quietly replaced an important part of daily life: reading. As in spending time with physical books or other long texts, rather than short snippets of text we consume through social media or apps.
Over the past few decades, the average number of books read per year has steadily declined. Today, many people read only a handful of books annually, if any at all. Compared to previous generations, when reading was a primary source of entertainment, this shift is striking. Instead of spending hours immersed in novels, newspapers, or textbooks, people now devote large portions of their day to scrolling through social media, watching short videos, or responding to notifications. The time that was once spent reading has now been replaced. This decline in reading has its consequences, especially in education. Studies show that with reading also comes more exposure to more words, strengthening vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills, all of which are regularly tested in school. When people read less, standardized testing scores often suffer, particularly in reading comprehension and language arts sections. Many teachers have reported lower attention spans, weaker abilities to write, and greater difficulty understanding complex tests. The students’ grades begin to reflect these struggles, not because students are incapable, but because they are not consistently practicing the foundation skill that supports learning across every subject. As a result, overall literacy rates begin to decline over time. Strong readers are better equipped to analyze information, detect misinformation, and communicate effectively. However, when reading habits decline, so does the ability to think critically. Instead of engaging with long-form content, many people have grown to rely on short video dopamine hits, which in no way challenge the brain in the same way books do. Over time, this can lead to a population that is less prepared for complex problem-solving or higher education.
So, after all of this, what does our future look like if this continues? It’s simple – if phones remain our primary source of information and entertainment, then literacy rates may continue to fall, thus widening educational gaps between age groups and socioeconomic classes. However, nothing is set in stone. Technology itself is not the enemy, but instead it’s how we are using it. Phones can promote reading through audiobooks, e-books, and educational apps. By encouraging balanced screen time and prioritizing reading again, we can protect literacy and ensure that future generations remain thoughtful and informed learners.
Source: Ehmke, Rachel. “How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers.” Child Mind Institute, 20 Feb. 2026, https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/