Poll: Readers prefer digital to print

Chinese actress Chen Shu reads a book by Taiwan author Lung Ying-tai on Wednesday during an opening ceremony for a "Enjoy Reading, Enjoy Life" charity program encouraging reading and charitable giving around the world. The program was organized by China Daily, Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions and Red-Flag Press. Wednesday marked the 19th World Book Day. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao / China Daily]

Digital devices are becoming the main channel that people choose to read and get daily news, according to a survey of taxi passengers in Shanghai, where bookshops are trying hard to attract customers.

China Daily conducted a poll of 169,122 people with Touchmedia, China's leading in-taxi media company, from April 1 to 10. Nearly 40 percent of people who responded to the survey cited the Internet and smartphone as their preferred reading formats, while 19.57 percent chose printed books.

Nearly half of those who were polled said they spent about two hours each day reading and that the most popular time of day for reading was before bed.

Even some hardcore printed-book lovers are spending more time on electronic reading. Zhou Pan, 28, a white-collar worker in Shanghai, said he reads at least four printed books every month and about 30 magazines in digital format.

"Actually, I also like reading on digital devices, which excel at displaying photos and multimedia, and are good for reading magazines and other hot topics on the Web," he said.

Last year, Zhou initiated a practice of lending his 136 books freely to strangers in the subway, calling for commuters to read real books instead of staring at digital devices.

"People are more likely to immerse themselves in reading when they are holding actual books - in the process there is much thinking and retrospection - while digital devices have too much to offer, which actually disturbs reading," he added.

In the survey, 22.21 percent of respondents agreed that an overload of online content can be distracting or stressful. Additionally, 23 percent said they believe that digital devices do more harm to the eyes.

Special coverage: World Book Day 2014