Can TikTok's BookTok community help cut screen time?
BBC World
February 8, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
TikTok's BookTok community is gaining traction as a tool to help young people reduce their screen time by fostering a love for reading. The movement has inspired individuals like Amy Laird, an 18-year-old student who realized she was spending seven hours daily on her phone. By turning to BookTok—a vibrant TikTok community focused on book reviews and recommendations—she discovered the joy of reading and now reads regularly, even if it's just a few pages each night. This trend is not isolated; many young people are finding solace in books thanks to BookTok, which has turned older titles into bestsellers and reignited enthusiasm for literature among Gen Z.
BookTok's influence extends beyond individual stories. The platform has transformed genres like romance and young adult fiction into viral sensations, with some videos receiving millions of interactions. Authors such as Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas have seen their works gain cult followings, particularly among younger readers. Isabella Potamitis Briozzo, a 19-year-old student, found her love for books through BookTok, discovering Stephanie Garber's *Caraval* series and spending hours immersed in its pages. For James Green, a 20-year-old with ADHD, BookTok has been a helpful resource for concise book summaries, making it easier to rebuild his reading habits.
The rise of BookTok is particularly significant in Scotland, where only 30% of young people report enjoying reading in their spare time. Caroline Cronjaeger, a 25-year-old student, even credits the platform with leading her to Virginia Woolf's *Mrs Dalloway*, which she now studies for her dissertation. This shift toward reading aligns with broader societal concerns about excessive screen time and its impact on mental health and real-world connections. By offering engaging content that bridges books and social media, BookTok is not only reducing screen time but also fostering a renewed appreciation for literature among young people.
The significance of this trend lies in its potential to address the declining interest in reading among youth. With 1
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/8/2026