As concerns grow over screen time among young people, many teenagers are embracing reading, showing that literature can thrive even in a digital landscape. Bella Watson, a 17-year-old from Canberra, is currently engrossed in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. While her mother allows her to read the series, she has yet to watch the television adaptation due to its graphic content. “I have to wait until I’m 18 to watch it,” she stated, adding that reading offers her just as much enjoyment.
Bella is part of a larger group of friends who manage to balance their love for reading with their online activities. Her friend Ava O’Donnell has recently completed Plato’s Republic and is also fond of Patrick Süskind’s Perfume and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, both of which are included in her school syllabus. Ava notes that as she delves deeper into literature, her appreciation for reading extends beyond the classroom, revealing a shared sentiment among her peers that social media is losing its grip as they approach adulthood.
Both Bella and Ava have younger siblings who will face new restrictions on social media, yet they feel that navigating their final school years has become less burdensome. Bella reflects, “When you get out of school, it’s less toxic. You don’t worry about social media as much, and you have more time to read.”
The role of local bookstores in fostering a love for reading is significant. Ava’s mother, Tayanah O’Donnell, owns Paperchain Bookstore, Canberra’s oldest bookshop, which has supported the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge for over two decades. “We’ve seen a rise in demand for in-person connections in bookstores,” Tayanah remarked. She attributes this trend to platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram, which encourage young readers to engage with literature in a communal setting.
Shifting Perspectives on Reading Habits
Despite persistent worries about young people’s reading habits, a report from Deakin University indicates that 54 percent of teens read more than once a week, with fiction being the preferred genre. The study, titled Discovering A Good Read, surveyed approximately 12,000 Australian teens from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia between 2022 and 2023. Interestingly, nearly 30 percent of respondents reported not reading during their spare time. The report stresses the urgent need for engaging initiatives to cultivate a reading culture in this digital era.
Peter Arnaudo, owner of The Book Cow in Kingston, emphasizes the importance of creating an environment that promotes reading. “It’s about having books accessible and modeling good behavior,” he stated, encouraging parents to read openly in front of their children. He runs various events aimed at young readers and believes that many teens simply need encouragement to explore literature outside of prescribed texts.
Arnaudo emphasizes, “It’s essential to give young people agency,” allowing them the freedom to choose what they read. He also notes a surprising interest in non-fiction among younger readers, challenging the stereotype that they only gravitate toward adventure, fantasy, or romance.
Engaging Young Readers Through Creativity
Author Andy Griffiths, known for his engaging children’s books, has adapted his writing to compete with modern distractions like video games and films. “I had to bring my very best A game to the table to write a book that grabs their attention,” he explained. Griffiths has noticed a significant increase in illustrations in his books over the past 15 years to cater to a visually oriented generation.
He believes that regardless of the format—whether graphic novels or traditional books—what matters is the creative engagement they offer. “The problem arises when reading becomes overly simplified, making the story uninteresting,” he cautioned, stressing the need for layered narratives that are enjoyable for both children and their parents.
Furthermore, author Craig Silvey, whose debut novel Jasper Jones remains a staple in Australian high school curricula, advocates for family-oriented literature. “It’s vital that we provide meaningful literature for young people,” he stated, highlighting that reading fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of oneself and others.
Silvey’s upcoming release, a sequel to his children’s book Runt, aims to create a reading experience that families can share. He believes that literature should be cherished and accessible to all ages.
Both Andy Griffiths and Craig Silvey will participate in the Canberra Writers Festival on October 26, 2023, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about the importance of literature in nurturing young minds.
The collective experiences of these young readers and their advocates suggest that while digital distractions are a reality, a vibrant reading culture can flourish when supported by community initiatives, accessible resources, and family engagement.
