I believe that books should be replaced by digital devices.
Although books have been around for thousands of years and have shaped much of our history, it is now time for the human race to revolutionise and start using digital devices instead.
Digital devices are not only more organised and secure, but are also better environmentally and economically.
They are also an asset for schools, as they help children's learning immensely.
Digital devices are much easier to manage than books and give us the ability to be more organised.
A single e-book or tablet can hold far more information than a bagful of books, and is much lighter and easier to carry around.
Instead of having notes and paper sprawled across your desk, you can have a single tablet, e-book or laptop and find the notes you want with the click of a button.
Information stored on digital devices is secure.
With these devices it takes just the click of the ''save'' button and you know that your work can't be deleted and you will have an extra copy if you need it.
New security software is being produced all the time, which will also help to prevent valuable information from being stolen.
Tracking software can be placed on a device so that, if they are misplaced, you are more likely to find it again.
As well as being more organised and secure than books, digital devices are also better for the environment.
They do not require the cutting down of trees and, in the long term, they give off less CO2 emissions than the production of paper.
One of the major environmental issues at the moment is global warming and this is primarily caused by CO2 emissions being released into the planet's atmosphere, causing the ''greenhouse effect'' which gradually increases the Earth's temperature.
An iPad will produce just over 100kg of CO2 equivalents in its lifetime, which is about the same as 7700 sheets of regular paper or 13,600 sheets of recycled paper.
In this comparison, the iPad comes out on top because it can hold significantly more information than can fit on 13,600 sheets of paper and, therefore, releases less CO2 equivalents in the long term.
Although devices contain copper and lead which can be harmful for the environment, making paper is just as harmful, as the wood pulp industry is the third highest polluter in many countries.
With all the advantages that digital devices have, they are obviously more expensive than books.
However, if you look at the price of the iPad when it first came out, compared with its current price, you will see it is significantly cheaper now, as well as giving you more for your money.
Devices will follow the same principle if they replace books. As they become more popular and widely used, the price will drop and the quality improve.
Replacing books with devices in schools can help to revolutionise the way children all over the world learn.
Using an iPad instead of textbooks, or a laptop instead of a pad or refill, can help today's children to focus better, as well as broaden their research and study skills.
If you put a child of today in front of a book or a tablet, they are more likely to go for the tablet.
They will find the tablet more fun to be on and their minds will be more engaged and ready to learn.
So, using digital devices to replace books can save everyone time, money and effort, as well as helping children all over the world to concentrate better and enjoy school more.
They will improve the way we perform every day activities and help to keep information safe and secure.
As well as all this, their use could help to delay global warming and save millions of trees a year.
That is why I believe books should be replaced by digital devices.
• By Samantha Haig, Year 10, Bayfield High School
