I. i the internet has become one of the most popular, worldwide sources of knowledge for people to read, write and reflect upon. with the advancement of mobile technologies, an internet-connected smartphone is now a commonly used tool for reading and information-seeking. it is akin to a lifeline for those who rely on it daily for various reasons such as gathering information, constructing knowledge, and entertaining themselves [1]. this transformation of literacy could be due to democratization, economic developments, the proliferation of information and communication technologies, and cultural changes [2]. however, the myriad text types and varieties of reading materials available through various mobile applications sometimes make the selection of texts somewhat challenging, and readers may find it daunting to select suitable texts to read in order to achieve their reading purposes. hence, how do efl students select what to read, and what do they actually read on their smartphones? although some may argue that the use of smartphones does not constitute reading, reading skills are needed when one uses smartphones to conduct any activity [3]. this is because one needs to read the titles, headings, instructions, and messages on the screen to perform any activity on the smartphone. navigation in the digital environment would be more efficient if the user could effectively comprehend what