Summary

A National Literacy Trust (NLT) survey reveals that children’s enjoyment of reading is at its lowest in 19 years, with only 34.6% of eight- to 18-year-olds saying they enjoy reading in their free time.

This marks an 8.8 percentage point drop from last year, part of a declining trend since 2016.

Reading frequency has also hit a historic low, and a significant gender gap persists, with only 28.2% of boys versus 40.5% of girls enjoying reading.

The NLT calls for a government taskforce to address these declines, warning that “the futures of a generation are being put at risk.”

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    2020 days ago

    I’m sure that that’s been replaced by screen time. Social media in particular is much more neurochemically rewarding.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      5
      edit-2
      20 days ago

      Maybe I’m missing it but where in the article does it say “reading books”? Reading can be done via a tablet or even a phone. You can check out a digital book from the library. The article as far as i can tell just says they don’t enjoy reading for pleasure

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          220 days ago

          True but I guess the way I’m reading it is reading is reading regardless of how you read.

          The article is just saying they don’t read for pleasure. Regardless of the format