Janine Shuman
campus editor
Opening a book and embarking on exciting adventures as reality withers away is one of life’s most enjoyable experiences.
As a child, I never went anywhere without a book in my hands. But as I grew older, it became more challenging to focus when reading, something many people struggle with today.
The American Psychological Association reports that less than 20% of U.S teenagers read recreationally.
With unlimited media access at our fingertips, opening up Netflix, YouTube or TikTok and going on a video spree is more appealing than opening up a book for many.
A study conducted by Professor Gloria Mark in 2014 showed individuals switched their focus every 59 seconds on average, getting distracted by their phones, compared to three minutes in 2004.
While the occasional series binge is generally harmless, prolonged exposure has proven to lead to long-term cognitive, language and memory decline, according to the medically reviewed website Healthline.
By consuming endless media, the brain gains instant gratification through binging on dopamine. This severely decreases productivity and slows down progress, according to scientific research reported by Inc.
By slowly replacing devices with a good book, benefits are reaped.
Research shows reading can help improve brain connectivity, vocabulary, comprehension, empathy, stress reduction and cognitive function, according to Healthline.
As generations grow more dependent on technology, fewer children develop a love for reading.
Instead of handing a developing child an iPad to keep busy, parents should encourage their children to read more and gain valuable skills in their crucial developmental stages.
Arguably, it can be challenging to find the time to read between work, school and daily obligations, but reading a few pages of a book instead of scrolling endlessly through social media may conjure up a love for reading, and there is nothing to lose by giving it a chance.
