Anna Hartz
Singapore wants people to put down their phones and read
In a world filled with short videos, endless notifications and fast-moving online content, finding time to read a book can be difficult. Singapore is now trying to change that by offering people a small financial reward for putting down their phones and reading.
Profiting off reading?
The country has launched a five-year national reading campaign. Participants can earn virtual coins by recording their reading time, reports Ziare. A reading session must last at least 15 minutes to qualify. Only one session can be registered each day.
Each session earns 20 virtual coins. Once a participant collects 1,000 coins, they receive one Singapore dollar. That means 50 days of reading can earn about 0.8 US dollars.
The campaign is based on concerns about falling concentration levels and the growing use of short-form online content. Melissa Tam, head of Singapore’s National Library Board, says quick online material may help people stay informed. However, longer reading can build attention, critical thinking and imagination.
The goal, she says, is to create a nation of curious and thoughtful readers who are better prepared to deal with a complicated world.
The choice of 15 minutes was deliberate. Loh Chin Ee, a researcher at Singapore’s National Institute of Education, says the period may seem short to regular readers. She believes it is still a realistic target for people who have lost the habit.
Does school pressure affect the pleasure of reading?
Many people continue to read words on screens. However, deep reading requires more time and concentration, and may now be less common.
Isaac Neo, a 32-year-old risk analyst, says school pressure can also affect people’s relationship with books. Students often read only for exams. Over time, they may stop reading for pleasure.
Neo helped start the Modern Men’s Book Club in 2025 after realizing he had not read a book for years. He says many people want to use the campaign to build the habit again.
Not everyone supports paying people to read. Some Singaporeans believe reading should be done for enjoyment, not money. Others say a small reward can help people get started.
Psychologist Charissa Ng warns that financial incentives may work best for people who already have some interest in reading. For those with no interest at all, the reward may not create a lasting habit.
