The effect of digital environment on reading habits of young people: A sample of Istanbul

In the literature, it is frequently mentioned that development in information and communication technologies, especially in new media platforms, networks, and technologies, causes changes in reading habits / behaviours. Whether it is completely certain that all digital technologies are changing the reading habits of young people or not; knowing what young people read and how they read is a prerequisite for guiding them. The main purpose of this thesis is to reveal the reading habits of young people both in print and in digital environment. A further aim of this research is to examine the effects of other products of information and communication technologies, which are the Internet and other digital resources, on the reading habits of young people and to reveal the role of public libraries in encouraging the reading habit in both print and digital environment. To realize this aim, Istanbul was determined as the sample of the research, and a web-based questionnaire was applied to determine the reading habits and library use of young people aged between 12 and 18 in both the printed and digital environment in 26 districts of Istanbul that have a public library affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The sample of the study consists of 410 (n) people. The findings of the research show that in this period where digital technologies are very common, the proportion of young people who prefer to read in print environment (often + always) is higher than those who prefer to read in digital environment (often and always). In addition, girls' reading rates in print environment were found to be significantly higher than boys. Although the rate of preferring the printed environment is high, young people are not disconnected from reading in the digital environment.