Discovering Screen Time Limits
When Amy Laird realized she was spending seven hours daily on her phone, she described it as her "rock bottom" moment.
The 18-year-old student turned to BookTok, a TikTok community of book enthusiasts, to help reduce her screen time.
She is not alone; data indicates that 18 to 24-year-olds spend an average of six hours and 20 minutes online each day.
Additionally, fewer than one-third of young Scots report enjoying reading during their leisure time.
Could social media trends like BookTok encourage young people to spend less time on their devices and more time reading?
What is BookTok?
BookTok is a TikTok community where users share book reviews, recommendations, and literature-themed content, including creative takes such as "what would Lizzy Bennet wear?"
The platform is particularly popular for genres like romance, young adult fiction, and "romantasy," often propelling older titles to bestseller status.
Some of the most popular BookTok videos have garnered over eight million interactions.
Authors such as Rebecca Yarros have found success with works like Onyx Storm, part of her Empyrean series, which is currently being adapted for television.
Similarly, Sarah J. Maas has developed a dedicated following, especially for her series A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Amy’s Experience with BookTok
Amy felt that excessive phone use was causing her to miss out on real-life experiences.
"I was averaging about seven hours a day and thought I'm experiencing life through this device where reality is being curated for me,"
she told .
Since engaging with BookTok, she has incorporated reading into her routine.
"On average, I'd say I read every other day, even if it's just 10 pages of a novel per night,"
she added.
"My favourite books are Pride and Prejudice, The Handmaid's Tale and Gone With the Wind."
Screen Time Statistics
According to a 2025 Ofcom report, UK adults spend an average of four hours and 30 minutes online daily, which is 10 minutes more than in 2024.
People aged 18 to 24 are the most active online demographic, averaging six hours and 20 minutes per day.
A National Literacy Trust study found that in Scotland, only 30% of individuals aged eight to 18 enjoy reading in their free time, and just one in six read daily during leisure hours.
Isabella’s Reading Routine
BookTok also helped 19-year-old student Isabella Potamitis Briozzo reduce her screen time.
"I usually read for two to two-and-a-half hours before I go to bed,"
she said.
"And if I have any spare time I try to read as much as I can."
Isabella discovered her favourite series, The Caraval by Stephanie Garber, through BookTok and quickly became hooked.
"Some of my favourite books come from BookTok,"
she noted.
"Usually over the holidays, I tend to go days where I just read and that's all I do, it's just something that helps me relax,"
she added.
James’s Perspective on ADHD and Reading
James Green, a 20-year-old student at Manchester Metropolitan University, was recently diagnosed with ADHD.
He acknowledges that his attention difficulties are present regardless of social media but believes platforms like BookTok can assist in rebuilding reading habits.
"It definitely helped me and inspired me to ,"
he said.
"It actually helped me put down my phone, because it made me want to read a lot more."
He further explained:
"Short form content is helpful in giving a useful but concise insight into different books, which is why it is a good way to form a reading habit"
Caroline’s Academic Journey
Caroline Cronjaeger, a 25-year-old student, is writing her dissertation on Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, a book she discovered on YouTube.
"I read quite a lot, from two to three hours day,"
she said.
"Even more if I have a lot of free time and a really good book in my hands.
Mrs Dalloway is also the reason why I chose to study English literature."
