Digital Technologies and Reading Habits of Students: A Scoping Review

Students worldwide use digital technologies such as mobile phones, smartphones, computers, tablets, social media, the internet, and digital televisions. This scoping review aims to map the literature on the types of digital technologies and the purposes of using digital technologies by secondary school students. The Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Library Science databases were searched to identify and retrieve literature from 2000 to 2024 after a search strategy was developed. The study is limited to secondary school students. This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Of the 2,246 records, only 35 studies that met the inclusion criteria were considered for this review. This review provides insight into the types and purposes of the use of digital technologies by secondary school students. Studies have revealed that digital technologies are used for academic purposes and thus promote reading habits. Moreover, studies have indicated that e-books, iPads, e-readers, audiobooks, social media, and smartphones are widely used for reading and information access. However, few studies have shown that the overuse of digital technologies for entertainment leads to a decline in reading habits. Further research is recommended to explore how digital technologies could be used to promote sustained and meaningful reading practices among secondary school students.