A national initiative has been launched in Singapore aimed at encouraging residents to read books and other long texts more frequently. Participants are encouraged to dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to reading, logging this time on a special platform. For achieving this goal, virtual coins are awarded: every 1000 coins correspond to one Singapore dollar. In addition to monetary rewards, the program offers additional gifts, including collectible library souvenirs. Organizers hope that the gamification will make it easier for users to develop a sustainable habit.
The initiative is designed for five years and emerged against the backdrop of the proliferation of short digital content. Users are daily confronted with a large amount of news, videos, posts, and other materials, making prolonged reading require more concentration. Representatives of the National Library Board believe that regular reading can support attention, imagination, critical thinking, and other skills. The 15-minute duration was chosen as a relatively short period that can be incorporated into daily routines– for example, during a commute, lunch, or before bed.
By September 2027, organizers aim to attract about 150,000 participants. As part of the charitable initiative Read for Good, logged reading time will also be considered in fundraising for underprivileged groups. Thus, the program combines traditional activity tracking, a system of digital rewards, and a charitable component. Organizers hope that a small daily norm will help participants gradually return to regular reading and reduce time spent endlessly scrolling through short content.
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