Reading Culture : Youths Defying Digital Distractions

In a world where screens dominate, the idea of young people curling up with a book feels almost nostalgic. Scrolling, swiping, and binge-watching have replaced the quiet rustle of turning pages. But beneath the noise of viral trends and endless notifications, a different reality exists, one where some youths are intentionally carving out time to read, not just for school, but for personal growth.
Christopher Fondzenyuy, an engineering student with a keen interest in leadership and self-improvement, has read fewer than five books this year already. While that may seem modest, his reading choices, authors like Robert Greene and John Maxwell, reveal a deliberate effort to learn beyond the classroom. “The decline in reading habits can be attributed to a lack of encouragement and exposure to reading environments,” he says adding that initiatives like online reading challenges can help reverse this trend. As a judge in such a challenge, Christopher has seen first-hand how young minds can be shaped and aware of their history and environment by the right books.
Lenny-Dave, another young reader, didn’t always have a strong reading habit. “I liked reading books, but I wasn’t committed,” he admits. A single handout, The Law of Intentionality, given to him by a mentor, changed everything. Over the past 24 weeks, he has read 23 books and 450 poems. He shares that his secrets are a structured reading timetable, accountability partners, and a mentor who holds him to his goals, sometimes with financial consequences. “If I fail to read for a day, I owe my progress coach 500 francs. Two days? 1,000 francs.” It’s an unusual but effective strategy, forcing discipline where motivation might fail.
For many young people, the struggle is not a lac...