[Opinion] The impact of digital communication on youth literacy

Some people think that increasing communication usage of computers and mobile phones by young people has had a negative effect on their reading and writing skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Agree: 

Screens will have bluelight, which would impair someone’s visual, affecting their reading ability 

It can be harder to read on screen / more distractions on screens such as advertisements

Without practice, people’s handwriting will be worsened 

People will write slower, which might affect students taking written tests

Disagree: 

People can read more effectively – can have search engines, built-in dictionary 

People can read at night because most screens are lit 

Majority of writing can be done electronically these days from work emails to contracts, so typing is actually a needed skill for modern office work 

You can copy and paste content when you write on electronic devices so it is faster

You can edit your work more neatly when you make mistakes 

In the modern world, it is believed that the extensive exposure of youths to electronic devices for communication purposes leave detrimental consequences for their ability to read and write. Personally, I completely disagree with this view. 

There are several reasons why using electronics would actually enhance one’s reading skills. Firstly, most tablets or mobile phones can gain its users access to the Internet, which means they could use search engines like Google to find relevant information on their reading material. This in turn would help provide background information on the setting, author, or related articles, providing a deeper understanding for the reader. Next, many e-book platforms such as Kindle or Apple Books offer built-in dictionaries where users define unfamiliar terms as they read, further improving one’s ability to comprehend foreign works. 

At the same time, mobile phones and computers can aid youth’s writing skills. The first reason is that many word processors such as Google Docs or Microsoft Words offer grammatical and spelling checks, which helps user identify their errors and correct them on the spot. This feature also help a young learner to learn from their mistakes and make fewer errors when they write. Furthermore, many modern tablets come equipped with a responsive stylus which offers their users a traditional writing experience, so youths’ handwriting would not be hampered by technology. In fact, most students would be able to write more neatly since mistakes can be undone with a push of a button.

In conclusion, instead of negatively affecting one’s ability to read and write, I am of the opinion that electronics offer enhancements on such skills. 

(268 words – Band 8)