Written by: Adib Fatin Irsadi, S.Sos.

Thekabarnews.com—In the increasingly digitalized era, we often prioritize speed over quality. We have developed an insatiable hunger for knowledge, but we have lost the ability to properly digest it.

This has led us to prefer bite-sized media such as short videos over long-form, dense media such as books. We have more information than our forebears, but we aren’t taught how to assess it.

An Adobe survey in 2024 found that 10 percent of Gen Z prefer to use TikTok over Google when searching for information online. This finding is crucial because unlike books, which provide vetted context, TikTok prioritizes engagement over accuracy. Therefore, this data shows that we prefer quick information. Furthermore, it shows how trusted social media has become now.

However, should this trend continue? What would be the best approach to address it?

The Effect of Instant Information

With over half of the global population having access to social media, it is clear as to why millions of companies and creators around the world are so motivated to post on social media. However, the detriment of such behavior is critical, especially with the integration of AI-generated content into the scene.

The report from Newsguard (2026), an organization that actively monitors and watches the reliability of online information, claims that by 2025 they have at least identified around 3,006 websites that actively use AI as a content farm to provide news and information. Furthermore, the study showcases how difficult it is to locate reliable news nowadays.

The problem is not that we lack information or fail to read enough, but that we lack the skills to respond effectively. As content becomes increasingly accessible and less reliable, we discover ourselves trapped in an information ecosystem. This ecosystem encourages us to be lazier and less responsible when consuming information.

The Solution?

Reading a book might be the most effective remedy in combating this issue. Experts suggest that deep reading can assist web users in identifying and filtering misinformation. In addition, it provides the added benefit of relaxation and combating loneliness.

The logic is that the immediate accessibility of information affects our attention span and decision-making. We can obtain the information we seek within seconds.

In comparison, reading a book requires a higher amount of effort, time, and dedication. Individuals will have to follow the writer’s train of thought before arriving at the conclusion of their idea. Although this approach might sound impractical at first, the ability to read slowly is actually quite important. It helps to preserve our mental sharpness.

When reading a book slowly, readers often receive information by analyzing interpretation, purpose, and sometimes even perspective. These skills help people identify misinformation on the internet.

How to Start Reading?

Reclaiming your attention span is not an instant process, especially when our brains have been wired for quick information. However, transitioning from doom-scrolling to deep reading is more accessible than it seems. As a start, it is recommended to:

Find a book that you enjoy: The first thing you have to remember is to not be distracted by fancy books. It is easy to be swayed by the prestige gained by reading famous books such as The Lord of the Rings or To Kill a Mockingbird. However, for those who have not read a book in a long time, those books can simply be too long.

Instead, try to identify books that you truly find intriguing. Each individual has their preferences in books. You can take either fiction or non-fiction as long as you really like it. The easiest way is to read short novels or magazines.

Commit to small habits: Second, read the book routinely. You should prioritize building the habit of reading rather than spending time reading a book for hours. If you read for hours and then quit, you may lose the habit.

You can begin by reading for five minutes every day. If you can handle more, you can even read 15 minutes a day. Some studies have suggested that this is the ideal number.

Track and celebrate your reading. Lastly, you should be proud of your reading! Consider your reading as an achievement and do not belittle yourself for not being a reader. When you feel you have achieved something by reading daily, you are more likely to continue the habit. This can also help you avoid dropping it later on.

References

Adobe Express. (2024, January). The article discusses the use of TikTok as a search engine. Adobe. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/using-tiktok-as-a-search-engine

Newsguard. (2026, March 17). Tracking AI-Enabled Misinformation: 3,006 AI Content Farm Sites (and Counting), Plus the Top False Claims Generated by Artificial Intelligence Tools. Tracking AI-Enabled Misinformation: 3,006 AI Content Farm Sites (and Counting), Plus the Top False Claims Generated by Artificial Intelligence Tools. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://www.newsguardtech.com/special-reports/ai-tracking-center/

Renaissance Learning. (2018, January 23). Reading Growth and the Benefits of Reading 15 Minutes | Renaissance. Renaissance Learning. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://www.renaissance.com/2018/01/23/blog-magic-15-minutes-reading-practice-reading-growth/

Torres, J., & Saerys-Foy, J. (2026, January 16). Deep reading can boost your critical thinking and help you resist misinformation—here’s how to build the skill. The Conversation. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://theconversation.com/deep-reading-can-boost-your-critical-thinking-and-help-you-resist-misinformation-heres-how-to-build-the-skill-268082

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