两建议鼓励更多年轻人阅读

The writer cited a 2021 survey conducted by NIE, which showed that local students become less fond of reading as they get older. He opined that this could be because young people had many entertainment options such as watching dramas, short videos, and playing games on their phones, which would make reading less appealing. The writer added that while watching videos could help one understand current affairs, big data could lead to users only viewing content that they agree with and like, and hence narrow their worldview and horizons. Opining that reading was an effective way to broaden one’s horizons, the writer suggested that youths could consider reading novels on their mobile phone, or download NLB’s mobile app, Libby, to borrow e-books and audio books. He also suggested that youths could look into joining a book club, which would allow them to learn new knowledge through interesting and fun activities, see things from different perspectives and ultimately help them develop a good habit of reading through discovering the joys of reading.  

仔细回想，大家上一次认真阅读课外书籍是什么时候？可能大家都不记得了吧？难怪国立教育学院在2021年做的一项调查显示，本地学生年纪越大越不爱阅读。

这样的调查结果并不会令人惊讶，不外乎两个原因。第一，这个时代的年轻人太幸福了，随时可以通过手机追剧、看短视频、玩游戏；娱乐方式很多，哪还有人想看书。其次，太忙了，在学校不仅要上课，还要参加课外活动，好不容易放假了，不仅要完成老师安排的作业，还要为考试做准备。这都还没算补习和增益课程呢。

因此，学生看书的时间越来越少，在有限的空档里，很少人会选择阅读。因为有更好的娱乐选择而不阅读，因为没有时间而不阅读。这似乎无可厚非，但这个趋势却令人担忧。

或许有人会反驳说：不看课外书怎么了？通过短视频也能了解天下事。确实，一些优质短视频能帮助我们了解时事新闻，但大数据是根据用户的喜好，推送他们赞同和喜好的观点内容。这非但不会让人开拓视野，反而让人们的世界观变得越来越狭隘或有所偏颇。

阅读是开阔眼界的有效方法之一。如何解决阅读时间不足的问题？更善用碎片时间阅读就是一个有效办法。如今科技发达，只要有手机就能上网看小说，或通过电子书应用Libby，借阅电子读物和有声书籍。

如果对阅读不是很感兴趣，不妨考虑加入读书会。即便加入的动机原先只是为了交朋友也无妨，读书会能让年轻人通过有趣好玩的活动，学习新知识；通过互动和讨论学习，从不同角度看待事情。这样的体验必定会让年轻人感受到阅读的乐趣，久而久之也可以让他们养成定时阅读的好习惯。

Source: Lianhe Zaobao © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.