Novels are not dead for teens in the digital age

A Geelong teen has shared how the pandemic caused her to pick up more paperbacks, as new research reveals the social media habits of teens who read often.

Sacred Heart College year nine student Milly McMaster, 14, tends to choose a paperback over a device for reading. Picture: Alison Wynd

In 2020 Milly McMaster, bored by online study, screens and social media amid the pandemic, started to read.

“I got bored of technology,” the now 14-year-old said.

“We were doing online school and a girl across the street lent me a book, The Hunger Games,” Milly said.

“I did school as fast as I could every day so I could sit down and read … I read all three books in three days.”

Now, Sacred Heart year 9 student reads five to six books each month.

“Now me and some of my best friends are all readers, we lend each other books and then come back and chat about them after,” she said.

And according to new Deakin University research, Milly’s story is not entirely unique.

While reading among teens is generally in decline, Australian teens would still sooner flick through a physical novel than listen to an audiobook or read on their phone or tablet, it found.

Associate Professor Leonie Rutherford said teens today had more distractions than ever when they sat down with a good book

“It was surprising to find out today’s youth – often referred to as digital natives – preferred printed books over digital copies,” Ms Rutherford said.

“Many also browse bookshelves at school or local libraries … some just like the feel of a book in their hands.

“Others experience eye strain when looking at a screen or get frustrated at alerts on their phone when they are trying to read.”

Sacred Heart College year nine student Milly McMaster, 14, pictured with Bella the dog, tends to choose a paperback over a device for reading. Picture: Alison Wynd

The study surveyed 13,217 Australian secondary school students, focusing on teens’ voluntary reading habits.

Social media was still the preferred pastime for teens, followed by watching TV, movies, or videos on YouTube, but students who read regularly tended to use social media less.

Milly said she and her friends all still used social media a lot.

“I’ll be reading my book then get bored and go on my phone, then get bored and read my book again,” Milly said.

Milly’s mum, Kerri McMaster, said Milly’s reading habits had also inspired her two younger sisters too.

The study found that 15 per cent of the teenagers surveyed read daily, nearly one-third of teens did not read for pleasure during the school term, with the rest reading at varying frequencies.

The study also showed a decline in reading as students got older, with girls more inclined to read than boys, with almost three in 10 students in years 7 to 12 not reading in their spare time.

Research fellow on the project Dr Bronwyn Reddan said: “To foster a strong reading culture, it is essential that we align initiatives with teens’ digital habits and find ways to make reading accessible and appealing to them.”

“We know reading for pleasure is linked to better academic achievement, higher levels of wellbeing and better employment outcomes after finishing school,” she said.

Originally published as Novels are not dead for teens in the digital age