When Books Are Left Behind: The Literacy Crisis Among the Young Generation

Technological progress has brought many changes to people’s lives, including the way the younger generation obtains information. If books and libraries were once the primary sources of knowledge, today most information can be accessed simply via a mobile phone. On one hand, this development provides easy access to various fields of knowledge. On the other hand, a new problem has emerged: the declining interest in reading among the younger generation. Currently, many school pupils and university students prefer spending their time watching short videos or browsing social media rather than reading books. The habit of reading, which requires concentration and time, is slowly being displaced by an instant culture. Many people want to obtain information quickly without having to read in depth. In fact, reading is not merely an activity for acquiring information. Reading trains a person to think critically, enriches vocabulary, improves writing skills, and broadens horizons. Someone with a reading habit tends to be better able to understand an issue from various perspectives and is less easily swayed by information that may not be true. The decline in reading interest can also impact the quality of education. A low literacy culture leads to a decreased ability to comprehend learning materials. Many students struggle to analyse questions or compose written work because they are not accustomed to reading. If this condition continues, the quality of Indonesia’s human resources in the future could be at risk. Of course, technological development cannot be entirely blamed. In fact, technology can be a means to enhance reading culture if utilised properly. Digital books, online journals, and various educational platforms can serve as alternatives to revive the younger generation’s interest in reading. The challenge lies in building awareness that reading remains important amidst the strong current of digital information. Therefore, cooperation between families, schools, and the government is needed to build a literacy culture. Parents must set an example by making reading a habit at home. Schools should create environments that encourage students to enjoy reading, while the government needs to expand access to quality and affordable reading materials. Ultimately, a nation’s progress is measured not only by its technological advancement but also by the literacy level of its people. If the younger generation continues to drift away from books and the reading culture keeps declining, Indonesia will lose one of the crucial foundations for creating intelligent, critical, and competitive human resources. For this reason, reviving the interest in reading is no longer merely an option, but a necessity for the nation’s future.