KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The widespread availability of digital technology and gadgets is becoming a major factor for students’ declining interest in physical books, said teacher Noor Azielah Jamil, 30.
She added that the trend is concerning as reading is crucial to expand knowledge and stimulate intellectual development.
“Today’s students are visiting school libraries less frequently to read printed books compared with previous generations.
“The reading culture is dwindling. If we look at school libraries, students rarely come to read physical books like they used to.
“However, I do see an increase in digital reading through e-books and online reading materials, so while physical reading is decreasing, reading in digital formats is becoming more popular,” the SM Setiabudi teacher told Media Selangor when met at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here yesterday.
Azielah said while gadgets are often associated with distractions that affect reading habits, they also offer advantages by engaging young people with more interactive content.
“Gadgets are very useful because they offer various interactive elements such as images, videos and animations that can help the learning process.
“However, the use of technology needs to be balanced with reading scholarly materials so students do not rely solely on short-form content available on social media.”
She also hailed programmes such as PBAKL, saying they should continue as they provide students with opportunities to explore a diverse range of genres that may not be so easily accessible elsewhere.
She added that young readers today tend to gravitate towards books that resonate with their personal experiences, including material about life journeys, motivation, and current issues.
Noor Azielah also urged more initiatives to encourage reading habits, including providing book reviews and recommendations on digital platforms.
