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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Mark Saunokonoko

Singapore pays people to pick up a book in battle against doomscrolling

A person sits cross-legged on a wooden floor, holding an open book covering their face, in front of bookshelves
Singaporeans will have to log 50 daily reading sessions on a government website to earn S$1 (80c). Photograph: Maskot/Getty Images

Singapore is paying its citizens to pick up a book for at least 15 minutes a day in an effort to fight the rise of doomscrolling.

The affluent city-state hopes its gamification strategy, which launched this month, will improve concentration, critical thinking and the imagination of Singaporeans.

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