Singapore Is Paying People to Put Down Their Phones and Read Books

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Singapore’s National Library Board offers micropayments via a five-year pilot to build daily reading habits among a phone-first populationSingapore’s National Library Board launched ReadSG on 6 September 2026, a five-year national reading campaign that converts logged reading time into virtual coins redeemable for cash. The initiative has drawn attention from governments and educators worldwide who are watching to see whether a small financial reward can reshape phone-centric habits. How the Scheme Actually WorksThe program uses a simple coin mechanic: log reading time on a government platform and earn rewards redeemable for cash.

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