Reading Culture in the Digital World

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore and to identify the existing problems of modern reading and to suggest possible solutions. The study focuses on the role of different forms of reading in development and shaping of personality in the digital age. Radical and rapid technological developments in the world, especially after the 2000s, including devices such as computers, internet, smartphones, tablets, e-books and e-readers, have also changed the reading people behavior. Digital reading has started to become a popular type of reading in the digital world. Important issues such as popularity of digital reading he world, reading preference trends in printed and digital formats, reading preferences by age groups and how future developments in this regard need to be examined. This study defines and examines first the basic concepts of digital reading and also the advantages and disadvantages of digital reading. In addition some statistical data regarding printed and digital reading in various countries around the world were interpreted as well as the results of the research conducted in Turkey were evaluated in the study. It can be said that digital reading is becoming increasingly popular in the world in general, but not very quickly. All age groups still prefer printed formats primarily. It can be said that the preferred reading type may vary depending on the purpose of reading, and in general, digital reading is preferred choice for academic-scientific and educational reading. Printed reading is favored for leisure reading. At the end of the study, some predictions and suggestions were made regarding the future trends of digital reading. The main result shows that reading under the influence of the socio-cultural environment is changing all over the world. These transformational phenomena manifest themselves in both positive and negative senses. The author drew our attention to the fact that children and teenagers should develop both types of reading. The author noted that families, teachers, schools and libraries should play an important role in this case.