Interest in Reading Among Malaysia’s Youth is Declining. Discuss the Causes and Effects of This Alarming Trend.

 

Reading is an essential habit that improves knowledge, critical thinking, and creativity. However, the interest in reading among Malaysian youth has been declining in recent years. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including the rise of digital entertainment, academic pressure, a lack of parental encouragement, and the high cost of books. As a result, this trend has led to poor language skills, decreased creativity, limited general knowledge, and weaker critical thinking abilities. Understanding the causes and effects of this issue is crucial to developing strategies to reignite the passion for reading among young people in Malaysia. In my opinion, the rise of digital entertainment and academic pressure are the causes for the declining interest in reading among young Malaysians, and the impacts of said phenomenon include a decline in language skills, creativity, and imagination. 

One of the primary reasons for the decline in reading is the overwhelming appeal of digital entertainment. The rapid growth of social media platforms, video games, and streaming services has transformed how youth spend their time. Activities like scrolling through Instagram, watching TikTok videos, or binge-watching TV shows on Netflix offer immediate rewards and are more visually stimulating than reading books. Unlike reading, these forms of entertainment require less mental effort and provide quick gratification. As a result, many young people are drawn to these platforms, spending hours consuming content, leaving little time or motivation for books. This over-reliance on digital media shifts their focus away from activities that engage the mind more deeply, such as reading for leisure.

Another key reason for the declining interest in reading is the intense academic pressure faced by students. In Malaysia, students must prepare for numerous examinations, such as the SPM and PT3, which demand long hours of study and revision. On top of this, many students are enrolled in tuition classes or extra-curricular activities, leaving them with little time to engage in leisure reading. For many students, the focus on achieving academic success makes reading for pleasure seem unimportant or even wasteful. When students view reading as a non-essential activity, they tend to prioritize schoolwork, making it difficult to develop a consistent reading habit.

The aforementioned causes bring about the following effects. Firstly, a lack of reading can lead to a significant decline in language proficiency among youth. Reading books regularly introduces young people to a wide range of vocabulary, improves grammar, and enhances comprehension skills. Without regular exposure to well-written texts, students struggle to expand their vocabulary or express themselves clearly in writing or conversation. This decline in reading habits also makes it more difficult for students to perform well in language subjects like English or Bahasa Malaysia, as they lack the exposure needed to master sentence structures and writing techniques. Over time, poor language skills could hinder their academic performance and future career opportunities.

Besides that, another effect of poor reading habits is the decline in creativity among young people. Reading encourages imaginative thinking by exposing readers to different perspectives, ideas, and fictional worlds. When students read regularly, they develop the ability to think outside the box, imagine solutions to complex problems, and understand diverse cultures. In contrast, students who do not read may have limited exposure to thought-provoking ideas, which stifles their ability to think critically or creatively. This lack of imagination may also affect their performance in subjects such as literature, art, and creative writing, where original thinking is essential.

In conclusion, the decline in reading habits among Malaysian youth is driven primarily by the rise of digital entertainment and academic pressure. These causes result in reduced language proficiency and diminished creativity, both of which have lasting effects on students’ academic and personal growth. To address this issue, parents, teachers, and the government need to create opportunities for students to read for pleasure. Schools can introduce book clubs and reading challenges, while parents can encourage reading habits at home. By taking collective action, society can help youth rediscover the joy of reading, paving the way for a more creative, articulate, and knowledgeable generation.