Fadhlina warns of ‘scrolling generation’ as gadgets erode reading habits among youth

The rise of digital gadgets has led to a decrease in reading habits among youth, creating a "scrolling generation," says Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.

The Malaysian government prioritises promoting a reading culture, with initiatives like the 'Jom Baca Bersama 10 Minit' programme targeting students.

Fadhlina hopes the HIPMaX Malaysian Folklore Storyfest will encourage reading and introduce pupils to Malaysia's history, culture, and identity through folk tales.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The emergence of digital gadgets has increasingly undermined reading habits among younger generations, giving rise to a “scrolling generation”, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.

She said reading should be part of everyday life, rather than merely a leisure activity, to nurture a more knowledgeable generation.

“One book that is particularly popular at the moment is The New Dark Ages , which has also caught the attention of the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), who has discussed it himself.

“ The New Dark Ages depicts a deep sense of fear surrounding the generation described as the ‘scrolling generation’,” she said in her speech at the closing ceremony of the HIPMaX Malaysian Folklore Storyfest: Folktales Reimagined Grand Finale Showcase 2026 at the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) here today.

Also present were Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, Deputy Director-General of Education (Policy and Curriculum Sector) Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad, and PNM director-general Edy Irwan Zulkafli.

Fadhlina said encouraging a reading culture among Malaysians, particularly students at schools and universities, was a key government priority, adding that the ministry introduced the ‘Jom Baca Bersama 10 Minit’ programme to promote reading among pre-school, primary and secondary school pupils.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina expressed hope that the HIPMaX Malaysian Folklore Storyfest would continue to foster a love of reading among pupils while introducing them to folk tales that reflect the country’s history, culture and identity. — Bernama

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教育部长拿督斯里法德琳娜·西迪克表示，数码产品的兴起导致年轻人阅读习惯的下降，造就了“滑动屏幕的一代”。

马来西亚政府重视推广阅读文化，并推出了“Jom Baca Bersama 10 Minit”等针对学生的计划。

Fadhlina 希望 HIPMaX 马来西亚民间故事节能够鼓励阅读，并通过民间故事向学生们介绍马来西亚的历史、文化和身份认同。

吉隆坡，11月4日讯——教育部长拿督斯里法德琳娜·西迪克表示，数码产品的出现日益削弱了年轻一代的阅读习惯，催生了“滑动屏幕一代”。

她表示，阅读应该成为日常生活的一部分，而不仅仅是一种休闲活动，这样才能培养出更有知识的一代。

“目前特别受欢迎的一本书是《新黑暗时代》，这本书也引起了首相（拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣）的关注，他本人也讨论过这本书。

“《新黑暗时代》描绘了围绕着被称为‘滚动一代’的这一代人的深深恐惧感，”她在今天于马来西亚国家图书馆 (PNM) 举行的 HIPMaX 马来西亚民间故事节：民间故事重塑盛大闭幕式 2026 的闭幕式上发表讲话时说道。

出席者包括教育部副部长黄家和、教育部副总监（政策及课程部门）鲁斯米尼·古艾哈迈德博士和国民教育总干事伊迪·伊尔万·祖卡菲里。

法德利娜表示，鼓励马来西亚人，特别是中小学生和大学生养成阅读习惯，是政府的一项重要优先事项。她还补充说，教育部推出了“一起阅读10分钟”计划，以促进学前班、小学和中学学生的阅读。

与此同时，法德琳娜表示，她希望HIPMaX马来西亚民间故事节能够继续培养学生对阅读的热爱，同时向他们介绍反映国家历史、文化和身份认同的民间故事。——马新社

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