Reading in the age of social media

Books and TikTok – how do they go together? Young people show that it can be done. TikTok has long been more than just a platform for dance videos: Many use it to find out about current trends – including popular books. There is also an active book community on YouTube and Instagram that discusses reading.

From bookfluencers and booktokers

Reading books seems to be losing importance in the age of social media. But the Booktok trend proves the opposite: digital and analog media are not mutually exclusive!

The term Booktok is made up of “Book” and “TikTok“. Under the hashtag #booktok, users share book tips in creative short videos – far removed from dry literature reviews. The content is entertaining and visually appealing, inspiring young people to read. Genres such as romance, fantasy, crime/thriller, young adult and dark romance are particularly popular.

Dark romance is a particularly popular genre in romance literature. The stories are often intense, dramatic and often deal with dark or taboo subjects. Parents should be vigilant: it is often about power imbalances, toxic dependencies or psychological manipulation in relationships. An open discussion helps young people to critically question problematic depictions.

Publishers and bookshops have also recognized the trend. They often present their own “BookTok” tables with the most popular titles in bookshops. Bestsellers are no longer created solely through classic reviews, but through viral TikTok trends.

Bookstagram and BookTube: Reading on Instagram and YouTube

In addition to TikTok, there is also the book community “Bookstagram” on Instagram. Here, readers share aesthetic images of their current reads, write reviews and organize reading rounds. Compared to TikTok, books are discussed more intensively here. Real book recommendations and new reading circles are created in the comments.

YouTube also has a fixed point of contact for bookworms with “BookTube”. There are detailed book reviews, reading months and so-called TBR (To Be Read) lists in which users present their planned reading.

Apps as reading motivation

Certain apps make reading more exciting – and sometimes even a challenge. They help you to track your own reading behavior and set reading goals. These include

• GoodReads: A worldwide platform for book reviews and recommendations.
• Read-O: Gamifies reading and rewards users for completing books.
• Bookstats: Provides detailed statistics about your own reading behavior.
• Booksup: Enables exchange with other readers in a social media environment.

Many of these apps offer the option of writing reviews and networking with others. Before using them, however, you should check the data protection guidelines to see what data is collected and passed on.

What parents should pay attention

Even though social media encourages reading, parents should keep a few things in mind:

• Advertising versus honest recommendations: Many influencers receive books free of charge or are paid to promote certain titles. Not all reviews are objective. Discuss with your child how they can tell the difference between advertising and genuine recommendations.
• Cost trap book purchases: Hype can quickly lead to spontaneous book purchases. Clarify with your child which books are really wanted and which can be borrowed.
• Data protection and privacy: Many reading apps and social media platforms collect personal data. Check the data protection settings together with your child and consider what information really needs to be disclosed. Children have a right to protection of their data!
• Dealing critically with content: Especially with genres such as dark romance, it is important to talk to young people about problematic relationship patterns and to develop a reflective view of the stories. Remain open and appreciative: ask your child, “What fascinates you about the story?” or “What do you think of the characters’ behavior?”. In this way, you encourage a reflective view, help to differentiate between fiction and reality and support your child in critically questioning problematic depictions – without curbing their passion for reading.

Look together with your child to see which books are really exciting. Libraries or digital services such as Onleihe offer many options – without having to buy expensive books.