Also, if there is no need to drive several miles to a library, walk the aisles looking for a book and to then stand in line to check out a book which can only be kept for a matter of weeks, then why put forth the effort? The rapid popularity increase and millions of advertising dollars spent on e-book products such as Nook, Kindle, iPad, Tablets and phone applications have made it virtually impossible for people to keep up with. As these e-book devices or products improve, the average user must learn quickly how to use them. Time is better spent opening up a book and reading. .
As people get older and more reliant or dependent upon the internet it is shown that the total time spent reading reduces dramatically, in turn lowering a person's literacy rate. Research shows a decline in literacy "from 1997–2003home Internet use soared 53 percentage points among 18 to 24 year olds15 to 24 year olds and 25 to 34 year olds spent 11 minutes or less total time reading during the weekends and holidays" (qtd in NEA). When a person is reading an e-book, a mere swipe of a finger can advance the reader half way through a chapter or even a short book with ease. If a person is viewing an e-book on their computer, along with possibly a chat program, email or other web pages simultaneously open, only self-discipline can prevent a person from not keeping their attention on the e-book. Is today's youth able to restrain themselves from the many distracting elements of the internet while reading an e-book? Why .
hasn't the negativity associated with decreased literacy rates become more important than new found gadgetry or profit? .
The use of the internet or other media directly affects the total time spent just reading a book. In 2007, a whopping 58% of 7th to 12th graders spent most or some of the time reading while using other media at the same time (NEA. 2004). It is apparent that the decline in reading as a compulsory activity amongst young Americans has become less important.