在數位時代，閱讀究竟是指什麼？在網路發明以前，是指在書報刊物中，吸取文本的內容，從事認知性的活動。網路的發展，以及大量的文本以數位方式呈現後，網路閱讀或線上閱讀的概念應運而生，全球許多青少年及社會成員在網路上進行各種活動，包括不同程度的閱讀。然而，憂心人士觀察到網路閱讀正在腐蝕學生的閱讀能力與國民的閱讀素養。傳統的閱讀與線上閱讀有何差異？線上活動對閱讀能力的培養是助力或阻力？閱讀的重要性何在？數位閱讀能力是指什麼？如何教育與評鑑下一代的閱讀能力？這些問題正受到閱讀專家學者與決策者的關注與討論。本文梳理對於網路閱讀的正反觀點與影響這些觀點的因素，論述經驗性研究調查的結果，最後探討其對數位時代閱讀的意涵及對教育政策的提案。

“Reading on the Internet”or digital reading has been a controversial issue in recent years as more and more young adults spent more time on Internet, and engaged in reading activities which may differ from the traditional conception of reading. More importantly, some observe that digital reading seems to have negative impacts on students’ reading capabilities at the individual level and citizens’ literacy at the national level. How can we understand the phenomenon of reading in a digital age? Online activities are facilitating or hindering the development of reading capabilities of young adults? What do we mean when we evaluate the reading capabilities in a digital age? This paper explores the pros and cons of reading on the Internet or digital reading, the technological, social and economic forces that influence those viewpoints, and discusses the findings of some empirical studies. The implications from this study for educational policy makers and educators conclude this paper.