Positive screen time can promote reading – to combat stress and concentration difficulties

The issue of screen time has become a prominent societal concern, affecting both adults and children. A recent study conducted on behalf of the book streaming service Nextory in Sweden, Norway, and Finland highlights this concern regarding our personal screen time as well as our children's, particularly with social media use. Across all three countries, social media is consistently viewed as the most negative form of screen time—yet, it remains the platform where the most time is spent.

According to the survey, conducted by Norstat on behalf of Nextory, 25% of parents in Sweden find it difficult to influence their children's screen habits. Meanwhile, half of the Norwegian parents lack screen time limitations for their kids. 38% of Finnish parents stated that entertainment, such as video games and screen time, hinders their children from reading and listening to more books.

“We need to rethink our screen time – and differentiate negative screen time from positive screen time. We don’t need to choose between reading and screen time – we need to choose good and stimulating habits instead of choosing distraction”, says Shadi Bitar, founder and CEO of Nextory.

The study shows that the most common reason adults struggle to limit their own screen time is that they find it difficult to break their habits.

“We need new habits that help us overcome the lack of time and concentration difficulties that stand in the way of reading – for ourselves and our children. Kids do what we do, not we say and ask them to do. We need to find ways to become stimulated, not distracted. This is something we need to address by discussing what constitutes positive and negative screen time, especially in a world that is becoming increasingly digitized”, Shadi continues.

Tips for reducing negative screen time:

• Lower blue light exposure
• Consider when you use screens
• Reflect on what you gain from your screen use
• Set limits—not just on the amount of time spent, but also on the type of content consumed

About the survey:
The survey was conducted by the market research company Norstat on behalf of Nextory. The responses were collected in Sweden, Norway and Finland in Norstat's web panel during the period 30th of July – 22nd of August 2024. In total, 3000 people aged 18-89 years and above have participated in the survey.

Selection of results from the survey:

Results across the markets: Sweden, Norway and Finland.

In response to the question of whether they read or listen to books together, 33% of respondents in Norway said yes, compared to 48% in Sweden and 54% in Finland.

What makes it difficult to limit your private screen time? I have a hard time changing my habits. Sweden (27%), Norway (19%), Finland (34%).

Children have difficulties concentrating for extended periods, which affects their reading habits. In Finland, 28% of children face this challenge, compared to 17% in Norway and 20% in Sweden.

Children have developed a habit of using screens, which prevents them from reading more. In Norway, 33% of children are affected, compared to 24% in Sweden and 32% in Finland.

Results from Sweden

Swedes are the least concerned about their personal screen time—yet they spend the most time on social media, which is also the platform perceived as the most negative.

Families in Sweden value reading and listening to books primarily because 66% believe it provides relaxation and reduces stress, 65% see it as a way to increase knowledge and general education, 60% think it improves reading comprehension and vocabulary, and 57% find it stimulates imagination and creativity.

What type of screen-based activity do you experience as negative? Using social media such as (facebook, tiktok and youtube) (46%), Playing computer games or video games (33%).

What type of screen-based activity do you find positive? Read news (50%), work related activities (45%), listen to music (44%), watch tv or movies (39%), surf the internet (34%), listen to audiobooks (31%).

Results from Norway

Norwegians are the most concerned about screen time—but they have the fewest restrictions on their own screen time.

In Norway, families appreciate reading and listening to books as it improves reading comprehension and vocabulary for 83% of respondents, stimulates imagination and creativity for 80%, increases knowledge and general education for 76%, and promotes concentration and focus for 65%.

What type of screen-based activity do you experience as negative? Using social media such as (facebook, tiktok and youtube) (52%), Playing computer games or video games (38%).

What type of screen-based activity do you find positive? Read news (63%), listen to music (50%),work related activities (48%), watch tv or movies (%), surf the internet (%), listen to audiobooks (39%).

Results from Finland

Finland reads the most with their children and is the most negative about social media. At the same time, Finland is the least concerned about their own screen time.

In Finland, families prioritize reading and listening to books because 86% believe it enhances reading comprehension and vocabulary, 77% think it stimulates imagination and creativity, 75% see it as a means to increase knowledge and general education, 74% find it promotes concentration and focus, and 63% feel it improves writing skills.

What type of screen-based activity do you experience as negative? Using social media such as (facebook, tiktok and youtube) (55%), Playing computer games or video games (27%).

What type of screen-based activity do you find positive? Read news (52%), work related activities (50%), listen to music (43%), watch tv or movies (43%), listen to audiobooks (33%)