Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page, written for young people by young people. If you would like to write articles for Dorset Echo Voices, please email alex.cutler@dorsetecho.co.uk for more information.

It is a fact known to human beings since earliest recorded history that reading can open your mind, better yourself and expand the horizons of your world.

In these dark times it is more important than ever that we continue this ancient tradition, whether through reading the works of others or writing our own, pull the curtains wide and shine light onto our world.

It is so pivotal today that we, the youth of this great county, educate ourselves not simply by listening to what our teachers tell us, or what our parents tell us, or what the politicians tell us – it is now time that we start to educate ourselves, by reading works written by some of the greatest geniuses to ever walk the earth.

I know that in this age of perpetual technological advancement, when our screens are flooded daily by a blitz of light and colour and emotion, the time in each day for a young person may seem limited, with scarce time to sit down with a book.

But I implore you: make time, grab time, carve time out of your busy day.

The world of tomorrow will need you.

By Dan Bavister