The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Cultural Forum hosted a discussion on “The Challenges of Children’s Reading in the Age of Screens,” bringing together experts, academics, and education professionals to examine the impact of digital technologies on children’s reading habits and cognitive development.
The discussion featured Egyptian writer Abdo Al-Zaraa and Jordanian academic Dr. Aseel Shawarib and was moderated by Dr. Mahmoud Al-Rajabi. Participants explored the growing influence of smartphones, tablets, social media platforms, and short-form digital content on children’s relationship with books and reading.
Speakers stressed the importance of fostering a culture of reading from an early age and emphasized the need to make reading an integral part of children’s daily lives. They noted that the future of reading lies not in resisting technology, but in finding innovative ways to ensure books remain relevant and engaging within both digital and physical environments.
Al-Zaraa highlighted the challenges posed by children’s increasing consumption of short, fast-paced content, which he said has contributed to shorter attention spans and reduced time devoted to reading. He underscored the role of families and schools in cultivating reading habits and called for greater attention to the quality and appeal of children’s books.
For her part, Dr. Shawarib focused on the developmental impact of screen exposure during early childhood, citing research that links excessive use of digital devices at a young age to negative effects on attention, decision-making, and emotional well-being later in life. She also pointed to the benefits of reading printed books aloud, describing it as one of the most effective ways to support children’s linguistic and emotional development.
The discussion concluded with calls for increased awareness and training for parents and educators on interactive reading strategies that can help strengthen children’s engagement with books and mitigate the effects of excessive screen use.