Maringá, BRAZIL – For the first time in the country’s history, the number of non-readers surpassed that of readers in Brazil, a new report shows.
The latest edition of Retratos da Leitura no Brasil (Portraits of Reading in Brazil), conducted by the Instituto Pró-Livro, revealed that since 2015, the number of readers – printed or digital books – has been drastically declining.
The term “reader” refers to those who actively consume books or other written materials, as opposed to engaging in the reading experience offered by digital screens and images that dominate modern devices.
At the same time, Oxford University selected ‘brain rot’ – a term used to describe the negative effects of excessive digital device and social media use on the brain – as the Word of the Year.
To understand the potential connection between these two phenomena, YJI spoke with Dr. Felipe Chaves Duarte Barros, a physician and member of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.
According to Barros, while modern technology has undeniable benefits, its negative effects are just as significant.
“There are positive aspects, such as increased access to information, enhanced learning experiences, improved motor skills, and greater cognitive stimulation—particularly through technologies that aid in learning mathematics and languages. However, there are also negative consequences, including reduced sustained attention and heightened vulnerability to mental health issues due to social media exposure,” said Barros.
Barros emphasized that digital devices require minimal cognitive effort, reinforcing passive behavior and hindering beneficial brain activity known as neuroplasticity.
“A lack of mental stimulation weakens neural circuits related to memory, critical thinking, and attention,” he said.
According to Barros, excessive use of technology and social media is directly linked to the decline in book reading, as reading demands a higher level of cognitive effort and focused attention – both of which are being undermined by prolonged exposure to digital devices.
A graph published late last year by the Brazilian newspaper, G1, showed that since 2015, the number of non-readers in Brazil has risen exponentially.
Factors Contributing to the Decline in Reading
Several key factors help explain this trend:
- Over the past decade, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have seen massive growth in Brazil.
- According to journalist Ana Marques, in a 2023 report for Tecnoblog, Brazil has been one of the world’s leading Instagram users since 2015.
- One of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic was a further increase in digital media consumption as a means of social interaction during an unprecedented period of isolation, according to a report by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
How Is Technology Affecting Our Behavior?
In a discussion about the transition from analog to digital, a researcher and professor at the State University of Maringá Ana Cristina Teodoro da Silva warned that excessive technology use, even for reading, can impact both social interactions and engagement with literature.
Her current research suggests that even before mental atrophy occurs, individuals are experiencing what she describes as affective atrophy – a weakening of the emotional connection people have with both literature and society. Digital platforms, she argues, do not offer the same sensory experience as physical books.
“To appreciate knowledge, you first need to understand what it means to enjoy something. One is closely tied to the other. The kind of emotional connection we develop through a smartphone screen is vastly different from the one we experience with physical media – something we can touch, something that has a scent, like a printed book,” Silva explained.
Despite the influence that large corporations exert over digital media and individual behaviors, Silva remains hopeful that the effects of the digital era can be reversed. As an educator, she believes that reading on paper, encouraging others to do the same, and making books more accessible are acts of resistance.
“I believe in what Edgar Morin calls ‘weak forces.’ These are forces that always seem to be on the verge of disappearing, yet they somehow manage to survive. Resisting this anxiety-inducing, accelerated way of life – which, I must emphasize, is not human, but rather machine-like – is itself an act of defiance. These weak forces are incredible; people keep saying they’re dying out, but they never do. They always find a way to resurface,” said Silva.
The Role of Economic and Cultural Factors
Bruna de Oliveira Ricardo, head of Literature and Books at Maringá’s Municipal Secretariat of Culture in Paraná, pointed out that while technology allows people to access vast amounts of content, it also contributes to procrastination by diverting focus from more meaningful activities.
“Everything happens on the phone now. People no longer feel the need to pick up a book or go through physical archives. And while reading on a Kindle isn’t inherently a problem, the real issue is that people spend excessive time on technology and social media without actually engaging with meaningful content. They end up just passing the time, often consuming material that isn’t literary or educational. Digital entertainment has taken over, consuming both our time and the quality of that time,” said Ricardo.
She also pointed out that beyond technological distractions, the decline in reading is also tied to Brazil’s lack of investment in cultural initiatives and ongoing economic instability.
“When we talk about unemployment and financial crises, people are often focused on immediate survival. It becomes a matter of: ‘I don’t have time, I don’t have money, I can’t afford to buy books, and I don’t have time to read.’ Having access to books is a privilege in today’s reality. Cities like Maringá, which actively promote reading and ensure accessibility, are rare. This kind of initiative needs to be valued because it’s far from common,” Ricardo explained.
Is There a Way Out?
Amid the overwhelming presence of digital media, individuals like avid reader Bruna de Oliveira Ricardo are actively working to counterbalance the effects of technology through literature.
In addition to managing Maringá’s public libraries, Ricardo, at just 28 years old, is the founder of Borboleta Azul, an influential women’s book club focused on fostering critical thinking. The club’s main goal is to encourage participants to engage with literature in a way that strengthens their analytical and decision-making skills.
According to Ricardo, the decline in reading has direct consequences on public discourse and even individual decision-making.
“I’ve always felt – and I still do today – that people lack critical thinking skills. They might disagree with something, in various contexts, but they don’t take the time to research or discuss it. Instead, they either dismiss the issue entirely or change their opinion without understanding why, “ said Ricardo.
For her, reading is not just a personal habit, it is a powerful tool for intellectual and social empowerment.
“Reading is political. The moment you start reading, you gain knowledge, you discover what you like and dislike, you access information, you search, you understand – and that gives you a kind of power that no one can take away from you, “ she concluded.
Nicole Luna is a Correspondent and Senior Illustrator with Youth Journalism International from Maringá, Brazil, where she is a student of communication and media studies at the State University of Maringá. She reported and edited this story.
Matheus Teixeira, a student of communication and media studies at the State University of Maringá, also contributed to this story.
