Social media plays a significant role in shaping university students' reading habits. This study investigates the impact of social media on the reading frequency, material preferences, and attitudes of English Education students at x private university in West Java. Through a qualitative case study, five purposively chosen students were interviewed in-depth between October 21 to 25, 2024. The findings reveal that high social media usage often competes with traditional reading activities, leading to reduced reading frequency and shorter attention spans. Students reported distractions from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, along with a shift toward shorter, less demanding content. Despite these challenges, social media emerged as a useful tool for discovering new books and connecting with literary communities, fostering engagement with diverse reading materials. The study highlights the dual impact of social media: while it diminishes deep reading practices, it also creates opportunities for exploring and sharing literary resources. To address these challenges, the research recommends promoting digital literacy and implementing time management strategies to minimize distractions while leveraging social media’s potential for enhancing reading engagement. These findings emphasize the need for a balanced approach to integrating social media into academic and personal practices to maintain a sustainable reading culture.