Reading in the mobile era: a study of mobile reading in developing countriesMillions of people do not read for one reason: they do not have access to text. But mobile phones and cellular networks are transforming a scarce resource into an abundant one. Drawing on the analysis of over 4,000 surveys collected in seven developing countries and corresponding qualitative interviews, this report paints a detailed picture of who reads books and stories on mobile devices and why. The findings illuminate, for the first time, the habits, beliefs and profiles of mobile readers in developing countries. This information points to strategies to expand mobile reading and, by extension, the educational and socio-economic benefits associated with increased reading. Mobile technology can advance literacy and learning in underserved communities around the world. This report shows how. |
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active readers airtime costs attitudes towards reading average Bachelor’s Degree barriers to mobile biNu books and stories cent of women clicks countries surveyed developing countries Diploma Disagree d e-reading engage in mobile Ethiopia feature phones FIGURE findings gender gap Ghana global hated reading icon intentions to read ISCED level Kenya Kraut and West learning libraries limited content literacy development literacy skills male Master’s or PhD Matthew Effect mobile data mobile devices mobile phone ownership mobile reading initiatives mobile technology Nigeria Nokia non-fiction ofmobile ofthe older outreach PAGE1 Pakistan Pew Research Center phone to reading portals positive attitudes Post-secondary Power Reader programme read to children reading habits reading less reading on mobile reading per month Romance search terms secondary spent reading Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree survey respondents Undecided UNESCO want to read Wikimedia Wikimedia Foundation women and girls Worldreader Mobile app Worldreader Mobile users Zimbabwe