Singapore has introduced a programme that rewards citizens with small cash payments for reading for at least 15 minutes a day.
To earn $1, readers must log 50 daily reading sessions on a government website, equivalent to 1,000 virtual coins. Each session of 15 minutes or more earns 20 coins.
Melissa Tam, head of the National Library Board, said consistent reading habits are built through small, achievable steps.
“We live in a world of extraordinary abundance of content, information and stimulation,” she told The Straits Times. “At any moment, we can scroll through hundreds of news headlines, watch a video or get a summary of almost anything.”
Previous initiatives in Singapore have focused on health, including supermarket vouchers as rewards for walking.
She added that “we know habits are built through small, consistent actions. That’s why we’re starting with a simple goal: reading for just 15 minutes a day. On the bus, before bed or during a lunch break.”
The government introduced the programme to address “doomscrolling,” or continuous scrolling on social media. Among other measures, it is also considering daily screen-time limits for young people.
The gamified programme, launched this month, is also intended to improve concentration, critical thinking and imagination among Singapore residents.
Sources: The Guardian
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