Survey in and round Kolkata exhibits most college students in 17-24 age group learn books solely often

Crowd on the forty ninth Worldwide Kolkata E book Truthful (IKBF) 2026, in Kolkata on January 25, 2026.
| Picture Credit score: ANI

Whereas the ebook truthful is on in Kolkata, probably to file greater than 25 lakh guests as common, a current survey carried out in and round Kolkata confirmed most college students studying books solely often and spending greater than two hours on social media.

In line with the survey, carried out by the Kolkata-based Sabar Institute and the Sarojini Naidu Faculty for Ladies, 35% of scholars within the age group 17-24 years learn solely often whereas 25% sat with a ebook day by day. Within the age group 10-17 years, nevertheless, near 40% have been studying day by day and 30% solely often. Within the 25-34 age group, as many as 40.6% learn solely often and solely 18% day by day.

The research was carried out on 4,311 samples throughout city and rural areas encompassing Kolkata and North 24 Parganas to grasp studying habits within the age of reels. Most respondents, 50%, have been within the 18-24 years age group, 14% within the 10-17 bracket, and 31% have been 25-34.

In line with the Sabar Institute, within the post-COVID-19, social-media-driven world, consideration spans have been shrinking, particularly amongst college students, and the thought behind the survey was to discover this shift and to grasp the impression of social media on studying and, above, all, to convey studying again to the centre of individuals’s lives.

As per the findings, within the 18-24 age group, extra females — over 40% — spent over two hours day by day on social media in comparison with males, 36%. Within the age group 10-17 years, nevertheless, extra boys — 33% — have been discovered spending extra that two hours on social media in comparison with ladies, 31%.

The survey additionally discovered extra college students than non-students spending extra time on social media. Whereas over 35% of the scholars surveyed spent over two hours day by day on the telephone and almost 32% between one and two hours, the identical figures for non-student respondents have been 30% and 29%.

“Display screen time has risen sharply in recent times, particularly amongst younger adults. COVID-related college closures pushed training on-line and dealt a critical blow to studying habits. Our research exhibits that heavy social media use (over two hours a day) and lack of quick access to books stay main boundaries to studying,” stated Sabir Ahamed of Sabar Institute.

“The issue just isn’t the absence of libraries within the metropolis, however the absence of guided and welcoming studying areas. What younger individuals want are curated areas the place they’re launched to books, inspired to learn deeply, and supported to construct immersive studying habits,” stated Mr. Ahamed, whose initiative Know Your Neighbour, which goals for communal concord, not too long ago began the Chair for the Reader programme to debate books, promote studying collectively in silence, and studying how you can handle digital distractions.

In line with the survey, whereas college students cherished to learn fiction, literature and poetry essentially the most, non-students most popular sports activities, leisure and fiction. Most males learn sports activities, leisure and fiction whereas females confirmed higher curiosity in lecturers and literature.

Printed – February 03, 2026 02:56 am IST