In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements, people hold differing views on whether electronic gadgets such as phones and computers do more harm than good, particularly in relation to young people’s literacy skills. While it is often argued that these devices play a supportive role in contemporary education, I firmly believe that their excessive use negatively affects youngsters’ reading stamina, linguistic accuracy, and stylistic maturity.
From an educational perspective, digital devices serve as a powerful catalyst for fostering personalized learning experiences, engagement, and efficiency in education. When students use online platforms and e-books, they gain instant access to diverse learning materials, which in turn broadens their exposure to information. As a result, learning becomes more flexible and inclusive, thereby allowing learners to progress at their own pace. In a world where digital competence is increasingly essential, technology makes a significant difference when it comes to acquiring research skills and accessing global knowledge. Take online learning environments, for example, where students can collaborate, exchange ideas, and receive immediate feedback on their written work.
However, from a critical point of view, phones and computers pose serious threats to young people’s reading and writing development. If learners are constantly exposed to short-form content such as social media posts and instant messages, their ability to concentrate on lengthy and complex texts deteriorates, thus weakening deep reading skills. In doing so, they become accustomed to surface-level processing, which undermines critical thinking and textual analysis. A case in point is my country, Uzbekistan, where many teachers report that students increasingly rely on informal digital language, leading to grammatical inaccuracies, reduced vocabulary range, and poorly structured academic writing.
In conclusion, although phones and computers offer undeniable educational benefits, I personally contend that their uncontrolled use has a largely negative impact on young people’s reading and writing skills. Therefore, a balanced approach that combines responsible technology use with traditional literacy practices is essential to ensure strong linguistic and academic development.