It's a fact. We spend around 4.5 hours on screens every day, to the detriment of reading in particular. An even more important observation among young people. According to a 2024 survey by the National Book Center, young French people spend 10 times more time on screens than on reading.
However, screens and digital tools are not necessarily the enemies of paper works. They can even be allies in giving or restoring a taste for reading.
Promoting reading on social networks
Contrary to appearances, social networks can be an asset for Books, notably thanks to the “BookTok” movement. On TikTok, YouTube or Instagram, influencers share their favorite readings and act as literary critics. “They are locomotives and try to show that reading can be attractive, galvanizing. What I see through them is enthusiasm, the desire to share their emotion about a reading. If it makes you want to read, that's great! », exclaims Sarah Sauquet, literature professor and author. On an academic level, a video literary review is even “an interesting educational exercise”, she adds, which can be a way to stimulate young people.
Applications
Another fun tool accessible to all: mobile applications. Sarah Sauquet is the co-creator of eight literary applications, including Un Texte un jour and Un Texte une femme. “I started from the principle that attention span is increasingly difficult to obtain and that reading time is precious,” she explains.
To restore the taste for the great classics of literature, these applications offer the opportunity to discover each day efficiently and quickly a text from these classics, contextualized and accompanied by an educational tool with notes. “A tool that can be used academically to revise and analyze extracts on comedy from Molière for example,” explains the professor. An application also useful for adults, to make or make you want to read certain essential literature.
Audio books
You can't immerse yourself in reading a book? Listen to him! Reading can also be done with the ears. This other way of reading allows you to discover a work while walking, on public transport, in the car, etc. And it might make you want to spend some time reading classics.
Linking reading and passion
“There is literary reading but there is also documentary reading,” notes Sarah Sauquet, who advises parents to integrate reading through the child's passions: dinosaurs, astronomy, football, dance. A tip that also works very well for adults!
Adaptations in different forms
Works adapted into films are an excellent way to interest potential future readers. “We saw it with Le Comte de Monte Cristo. Alexandre Dumas' book enjoyed new success in bookstores after the release of the film. Of course, if they decide to read the book after seeing the film, they will already know the ending, but the book always contains more details, is sometimes a little different since a film adaptation requires choices, in particular to limit the length,” notes Sarah Sauquet.
Reading paper version does not necessarily take the form of novels. Manga and comics, considered easier to read, particularly appeal to younger people. Today, many artists have given life and color to the characters of Molière, Camus or Victor Hugo, who have been adapted into comics. Le Comte de Monte Cristo was even adapted into a manga! These literary genres are a good way to integrate reading for those who are more cautious. “The most important thing is curiosity,” recalls the author.
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