Can BookTok Turn Screen Addicts into Bookworms?

Many young people today are spending a lot of time on their phones, sometimes up to seven hours a day. Amy Laird, an 18-year-old student, realized she was spending too much time on her phone and decided to make a change. She turned to BookTok, a community on TikTok where people share book reviews, recommendations, and fun videos about books. BookTok is especially popular for romance, young adult fiction, and fantasy books. Some videos on BookTok have become so popular that they have millions of likes and have even made old books bestsellers again.

Amy started reading more after joining BookTok. She now reads every other day, even if it is just a few pages at night. Her favorite books include Pride and Prejudice, The Handmaid's Tale, and Gone With the Wind. Amy feels that reading has helped her enjoy life more and not just experience it through her phone. Statistics show that people aged 18 to 24 spend over six hours online every day, and in Scotland, only three out of ten young people enjoy reading in their free time. However, BookTok is encouraging more young people to pick up books and spend less time on their screens.

Other students have also found BookTok helpful. Isabella Potamitis Briozzo, who is 19, reads for two to two-and-a-half hours before bed. She found her favorite series, Caraval, through BookTok and now reads as much as she can, especially during holidays. James Green, a 20-year-old student with ADHD, says BookTok has inspired him to read more. He likes that the short videos give quick summaries of books, making it easier for him to decide what to read. Caroline Cronjaeger, a 25-year-old student, discovered Mrs Dalloway on YouTube and now reads for several hours a day. She even chose to study English literature because of the books she found online. BookTok is helping many young people reduce their screen time and develop a love for reading.