Wattpad and Digital Reading: Increase in Reading Habits Among Young People

Abstract

The research focuses on a detailed analysis of how the digital platform Wattpad fosters and strengthens reading habits among its users. To achieve a deep understanding of this phenomenon, the investigators employed a basic qualitative methodology with a phenomenological-hermeneutic design approach. Moreover, while Wattpad consisted of the study setting, the participants were two different groups. The first one included 12 young women, between the ages of 15 and 24, who actively read on Wattpad; the second was made up of 6 experts in digital platforms and reading promotion. Both groups were originally from the city of Trujillo, Peru. Likewise, this study was articulated around a main category, divided into three subcategories, each of which was explored through two indicators. Regarding data collection, the researchers used interviews guided by a predefined protocol to later analyze the information by using the discourse analysis method. Thus, the results of the interviews confirmed that the use of Wattpad contributes significantly to the promotion and strengthening of reading habits among its users. Factors that contribute to this claim include Wattpad's distinctive features such as its ease of connecting users, the creation of virtual communities, and the fostering of collective intelligence. Therefore, the investigators recommend encouraging the use of Wattpad among young people and enhancing its interconnection and community creation characteristics, as well as implementing tools that foster collective intelligence.