The habit of reading books appears to be losing ground in the digital age. The smartphone has placed an enormous amount of information at people’s fingertips, but access to information does not necessarily translate into a habit of reading. Many people, particularly young people, now spend hours scrolling through social media, watching short videos and consuming brief pieces of content.
The result is a gradual shift from sustained reading towards quick and fragmented forms of information consumption. Reading requires concentration, patience and the ability to remain engaged with an idea for an extended period. Digital platforms, on the other hand, are designed to capture attention and encourage users to move rapidly from one piece of content to another.
A person may read dozens of posts in a few minutes without engaging deeply with any of them. This constant exposure to short-form content can make a lengthy book appear demanding and less attractive. The decline in reading habits has consequences beyond the loss of a leisure activity.
Reading plays an important role in developing vocabulary, imagination, analytical ability and critical thinking. In a world increasingly dominated by speed and distraction, the ability to read patiently may become not only a cultural habit but also an essential intellectual skill.
Wasih Jafri, Karachi
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026