The Changes of the Readership in a Digitised Age

The unprecedented changes the information and communication technology[ICT] revolution brought to the human society have been immense. In all elements theinfluence of technology can be seen in a remarkable way. In studying the accumulationof knowledge also it is understood that the older generation relies more on the printedmaterials like books, newspapers, journals and magazines. But the present, youngergeneration has become more interested in utilizing the sophisticated technology in theireducational and recreational purposes. Castells‟ [2005] concepts„network society‟ and„the informational mode of development‟ indicate the nature of technologicalglobalization. Simon [2001], Carol et al [2008], Siemens and Nahachewsky [2010]andMardis et al [2010] have studied the e-reading of the children whereas Twyla et aland Doiron [2011] on the adult readers. Li [2008] and Schlozer [2011] have studied thee-reading industry in detail. This particular study aims at investigating the type ofimpact the technology has imposed on the present younger generation especially inrelation to e-reading. Simultaneously it tries to gather the changesthat have gotestablished among parents and children in utilizing technology in reading. The present,younger generation is prone towards digital technologies than their parents. In thissurvey hundred [100] families of Colombo have been selected randomly and the readinghabits of the parents and children were compared by using a structured questionnaire todocument the changes established in relation to readership. In analyzing the quantitativedata it was understood that mostly the youth have become addicted to the digitized formof materials like e-book reading or referencing while the elder generation too utilize it ina limited manner.Key words: Readership, Digitised age, Information and Communication Technology,Information society, E-book readin