All parents want to get their kids to read more. In the digital age, kids can easily become addicted to screens, from computers to phones and TV. Reading is the farthest thing on most kids’ minds.

Well, that is unless of course, you pay them.

Luckily, kids actually won’t cost you nearly as much as you think. They drive a hard bargain. At least, David Woodland’s kid does.

David recently announced on Twitter that he started to pay his son a measly $1 for every book he reads, and how awesome it’s working out for both of them, a total win-win. David is getting the satisfaction of his son liking to read, and his son is raking in the big bucks!

“We pay my oldest $1 every time he reads a book. We’re talking 160-page chapter books,” David explained on Twitter. “I’m out $120 this year and he thinks he’s ripping me off. Best investment ever.”

The tweet later backfired when people ripped him apart for it. How dare this dad bribe his son to read! Clearly, this was going to ruin his son for life.

We pay my oldest $1 every time he reads a book. We’re talking 160 page chapter books. 😂I’m out $120 this year and he thinks he’s ripping me off. Best investment ever.

— David Woodland (@DavidSven) July 17, 2020

“You’ll be out a lot more for his therapy,” a hater informed David.

“And when he’s not going to get paid for reading anymore, he’s not going to love reading books anymore. Extrinsic motivation like that doesn’t create a real joy and will of learning,” another person stated.

Dad did come back to the Twitter world defending his son (and his actions to pay him to read). He wrote:

“Didn’t realize “encouraging reading” could be such a controversial topic, so I’ll end on this: He’s a great kid and thrives in academics and sports. More importantly, he is a loving older brother/friend/son. I am proud to be his dad. Don’t worry about my kid! He will be okay!”

Don’t worry, some people were on his side, telling David that the pay-to-read hack was brilliant. Some people told their own experiences of how they were paid for similar things when they were younger—and how it only made them better, not worse.

“Loved the summer reading program at the library. Lots of local restaurants n toy stores participated. Every 10 books complete with book report for each, got you a small cone from McD’s, $1 gift certificate to toy store, etc.,” someone wrote.

“Our parents awarded us $10 for every A ($9 for A-, $8 for B+…) on our report cards. This was tracked in our “checkbook” & every year the value of an A appreciated by $2. Loved beating my lil bro so much it became a habit… He’s a UCLA grad. I’m a Harvard grad,” another person touted.

What do you think of this dad paying his son to read? Do you think it could cause long-damage hard, or is a brilliant way to get kids to open a book?