Don’t Be So Quick To Take The Screens Away: Digital Devices Can Play A Key Role In Helping Kids Discover Reading
In this guest post, Chris Couchman (pictured below), head of content at Readly, argues digital devices are a great way to get kids to discover the joy of reading and that’s the way they’ll probably be doing all their reading in the future anywyay…
Every day the same scenario plays out across the country between exasperated parents and children desperate for extra screen time. While screen use may not always be ideal, it’s important to keep in mind that not all mobile phone and tablet usage is of equal value and that there is a world of difference between sinking hours into mindless gaming and reading or accessing educational content online.
A recent survey by magazine and newspaper app Readly showed that 60 per cent of Australian parents did not read newspapers, magazines or journalistic content to children and 30 per cent of parents and grandparents did not read to their children at all.
Research shows that Aussie kids consume news media on a regular basis but have indicated that they sometimes found the information frightening and many lacked the skills to think critically about what they’re reading. The Readly survey showed that although 42 per cent of respondents said it was important for their children to have access to verified journalistic content, only one in four Aussie kids had access to paid journalism.
There’s a great opportunity here for Aussie parents and caregivers to step in and fill the educational gap when it comes to kids and reading online. The portability and ubiquity of screens can serve as an advantage to budding readers and, contrary to what critics say, reading a wide variety of content like newspapers, ebooks and magazines on a screen can be just as beneficial in their own right.
Online reading allows for the quick perusal of large amounts of information from different sources, can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and can be instantly sent across multiple devices to friends and family. For instance, a child can enjoy reading an in-depth article about their favourite animal in National Geographic via the Readly app, then seamlessly launch an online search on their device to learn more. With the right kind of guidance and supervision, kids will learn critical thinking and nurture their sense of curiosity about the world through the news content they encounter online.
Digital content is far from inferior to traditional books and magazines. A 2021 literature review of 14 studies on the effect of e-books on children’s reading notes that ‘when e-books are properly selected and used, children develop literacy skills equally well and sometimes better than with print books. Like many types of digital content, E-books are laden with extra features such as online dictionaries, translations, animations, videos and audio explanations to help support learning. The authors singled out children from at-risk backgrounds such as those with learning disabilities like dyslexia and non-English speakers as potential benefactors of such content.
Attacking the method of the delivery won’t solve the problem of getting kids to read more. Instead, we must embrace new learning tools and use them to our advantage whenever we can. According to a report by the Gonski Institute, 43 per cent of Australian teachers and principals believe digital technologies enhance their teaching and learning activities. Online education in Australia is an $8 billion industry. The term e-learning itself was coined more than two decades ago.
Learning and reading on devices is neither new nor uncommon, so why hasn’t the conversation around online reading moved on?
Access to journalistic content like magazines and newspapers are an important part of our kids’ education. It allows them to feel connected to the world we live in and keep up with important developments as they occur. Though the days of seeing parents and grandparents reading newspapers at the table are gone, there’s no reason we can’t bring back the tradition of reading and discussing current affairs with our children.
Reading should be fun, even if it’s on a screen. Rather than languish in guilt over screen usage, it’s time to accept that they’re here to stay and make a habit of sharing what we’re reading with our children, whether it’s a news article, a magazine piece or a comic book. The beauty of the digital format is that you’re only one click away from new and interesting topics, with thought-provoking content from all over the world waiting to be discovered at leisure.
Reading more is not an either/or proposition between physical and online content, and we shouldn’t be afraid to go with what simply works. Digital presents a golden opportunity to impart a love of reading, the chance to explore quality journalism aimed at children, and opens children up to the unexpected inspirations only reading widely can bring. It’s high time we vanquish our guilt over screen time and leverage it to get everyone reading more.
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.