An Overview of Mobile Reading Habits

Abstract

Reading is a multidimensional cognitive method of decrypting symbols to build and develop meaning from the recommended text. Mobiles and smartphones are transforming human lives at fast pace. One of the new refined inclinations of the 21st century has been the gradual change in reading habits. The extensive usage of the internet at a global level and the use of various forms of reading materials particularly hypertext and hypermedia resources have made radical shift in reading different forms in addition to printed text materials. Reading style is not the same as a decade back. Now, people are reading electronic documents and the latest form of electronic books (e-books), electronic journals (e-journals), electronic mails (e-mails) and online databases. Digital content has broken the physical boundaries of homes, libraries, and offices. This paper reviews all the developments related to mobile reading from print to online reading, online reading habits, students’ attitude and behaviour to e-books, the move to mobile reading and it advantages and disadvantages. Also looked into are the roles of several independent variables such as gender, age, culture, and socioeconomic background of mobile users and their impact on mobile reading habits. Though mobiles are convenient to use, using them on a daily basis for longer hours, will cause a lot of health related problems such as cancer, stress, and neck pain. The microwave radiations (MWR) from mobile phones is harmful to all people particularly on children and unborn babies. Higher level mobile phone use is associated with sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression in men. Overall this paper provides a detailed review of mobile reading habits and how people shifted from printed form to online then to mobile form along advantages and disadvantages. dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.35.5.8901