Does anyone have the bad habit of reading Mumsnet instead of reading actual books?

[Eucalyptus22]

I often have great intentions of sitting down and chilling out with a book, but inevitably end up on Mumsnet instead.
AIBU - no, I still read books.
AINBU - me too! Can't help it, '10 mins' turns into a lot longer

I used to be like this, but have caught the reading bug again after so many years neglecting reading as a past time. Headed off to my local library and love reading again. I put down my phone and pick up my book usually a set time each evening. I set myself a target of one chapter each evening and if I read more it's a bonus. Really loving it. Almost finished my second book since I borrowed them a few months ago.

I still read books but I do totally recognise this syndrome whereby I am tempted to go back onto Mumsnet all the time. It’s terrible for my concentration.

Tiktok: no. Never understand the fuss over TikTok. Find it garish and irritating.

😂 MNs is nothing like reading a book, more like a trashy reality magazine at times.

I used to be bad for doom scrolling instead of reading then I got a kindle and started putting my phone down. Now I read a fair bit.

Guilty as charged!

Mumsnet is more like reading a magazine like Woman, Cosmopolitan or Closer which I would have done in the past. I have replaced reading books with endless box sets on the telly instead. I have got a pile of books to read which have been there for a long while.

How is it a bad habit if people enjoy it and find it relaxing, interesting or useful?

Reading a shit book just for the sake of reading doesn't sound like much of an alternative (I haven't got a clue about tik tok; I assume it's something like youtube).

Yes. I’m a sod for it. Once I get into a book I’m away but I just can’t let myself read for long enough to really become engrossed.

Yes .. Mumsnst is so addictive .. although often after reading a long and involved thread I actually ask myself 'what has that added to my life?' .. but even now I have timed myself so that I know I can spend ten minutes on here before I need to get ready to go out.
I have joined a Book Club so that at the very least I force myself to read one book a month .

'Nourish your mind' 😂

But Mumsnet IS a bit like reading a book. But joining in, the unfolding narrative and the thought you might help an OP in some way …….

used to read, now cba and also play Zelda. Now THAT is addictive!

😂 MNs is nothing like reading a book, more like a trashy reality magazine at times.

I don’t think that’s fair. MN isn’t long form reading of course but I don’t think the trashy magazine analogy is true.

There’s a fair bit of dross of course but some of the discussion can be quite highbrow and intellectual.

I think some of the kneejerk paranoia about people reading on their phones isn’t very rational. it’s of course a shame if the habit of long reads is lost to doom scrolling and people lose the habit of reading seriously.

But I think sometimes the fetishisation of books is a bit silly. There’s nothing intrinsic to a book that automatically makes it more interesting or nourishing than something found on the internet. There are some very shit books and some very interesting material online.

I haven't read a book in years. I use Audible so listen to books while cleaning or on errands. Even then my book consumption is low. I look at shorts on YouTube or read mumsnet.

I read three or four books a week but also manage to spend at least an hour or two a day on MN. Mind these days I barely leave the house so I've plenty of time on my hands!

Im even worse than this. I dont read the news anymore, I get my 'news' from this site!!!

If its not on here I dont know about it

Same only mines YouTube not TikTok

Exactly this.

I do, but it depends how tired I am. I'm exhausted this week and can't concentrate on books, so MN it is.

Yes, I'm annoyed at myself.

Me too!! Although I forced myself to read a book this holiday and it’s really been worth it to be point I’ve got annoyed with MN at times and been cross with myself for spending time on it.

No because I read books at bedtime and i usually don't have my phone on the bedroom

Me too

I'm not sure the majority on Mumsnet would understand Anseo 😂
Craicnet - definitely !

I am here a lot at the moment because I am between courses in my current distance-learning thing, which does at least force me to sit down and read academic papers and book chapters! Otherwise, my attention span is shocking these days.

The fundamental difference (aside from physical issues like light / screen / eyesight) is the concentration span. Even an article on the internet isn't going to absorb you in ONE thing for several hours. Every new post, or interaction / response is a dopamine hit, just like YouTube shorts that are now so prevalent since TikTok and Twitter have shortened the form of focus even more. Reading is a "settle in for a decent stint" activity and you have to make room for that, whereas scrolling MN is a pick up put down.

Ive used MN a lot in the last decade. As a SP it was my link to adult conversation and I've learned a great deal, been hugely entertained and was given superb help and support during my divorce and co parenting issues but I am more and more stepping away and have read significantly more in the last 12 months.bi am concerned about my own ability to concentrate and focus and don't want to erode it further.