An educator is warning parents to keep young children away from smartphones and limit screen time as they get older. She said children’s reading habits are declining, raising concerns about literacy and learning.

Vaoese Limutau Kava, founder of the I Can Read Foundation, was asked how she has noticed students’ reading habits changing with the rise of smartphones and tablets. She replied, “It is really bad.”

She explained that smartphones do not encourage reading, a trend she has observed in her own grandchildren. Drawing from her experience, she added that literacy in Samoa is not as strong as it was in Pago Pago, where she grew up. 

Vaoese said she encourages children to read books, noting that reading keeps them more focused compared to screens, which can be distracting.

She added that her students, ranging in age from four years to 17, will return to reading programs scheduled to start next month, on 10 February.

Parents are also taking steps to limit screen time at home. Asotolu, a mother of four from Vaiusu, said her children spend more time reading than using their phones. 

She is especially strict with her college-aged child when it comes to screen use. “They only use their phones when they need them for schoolwork,” said Asotolu. 

She stressed that reading is important for her children’s development and academic success. “That is why I push them to do their best,” she said.

Patrice Leota, 44, from Lalovaea, said, “My child spends most of her time with her face in books. She doesn’t have any tablets, and I only allow her to use the phone on Saturdays.”

When asked about changes in her child’s reading habits, attention span, or interest in books from using digital devices, Mrs Leota said, “None, to be honest.”

On balancing screen time with traditional reading, she added, “My child only spends one hour on the phone on Saturdays; the rest of the week is always books, book after book.” 

“I’m grateful because with technology advancing so fast, I want to instil in my child that reading is more important than screens,” she said. Mrs Leota warned that introducing phones or tablets at a young age can harm social development and reduce kids’ focus on what matters most.