Written by: Amber Rafter
Unravelling the decline of reading in a generation distracted by technology and screen time.
Reading is an integral part of cognitive development, enhancing vocabulary and improving critical thinking. So why are young people no longer reading if it would only benefit them?
Studies across the board have shown that modern technology and social media is a big reason why young people are no longer reading. This influence could be harmful to the way that people digest information and shorten their attention span. We as a society are so used to consuming information in short snippets, so the thought of finding time to sit and read can be tricky – especially for young people still in education who associate reading with school work.
Technology is only developing further into the world of fast media and people wanting to gain knowledge and understanding quickly. But this mindset is endangering the dying media of books and reading, as more and more people turn to their phones for enjoyment.
The perception of reading with studying could contribute to the reason why young people are no longer reading as something engaging and fun. Reading can actually increase comprehension skills and reduce stress, so would be highly beneficial for students, despite possible beliefs that it would take away from time to study.
Making little changes, like reading before bed instead of scrolling on your phones would not only help with critical thinking skills, but reduce stress levels and anxiety.
Even adding reading in day to day routines of only 20 minutes would increase cognitive development and mental wellbeing. By exposing students to new books and words, it can expand their vocabulary to better enhance their learning experience. Just one in three (34.6%) of children and young people aged 8-18 said they enjoyed reading in 2024 according to a study by the National Reading Trust, the lowest level of reading since 2005. There are many reasons why young people no longer find time for reading, but is well known since the age of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, teens are simply not reading.
With the endless amount of novels, it would be thought that everyone would find something that catered to their taste and genre. But most people are not willing to find out for themselves, heavily relying on technology as their main source of entertainment.
Some could argue that this could be down to the amount of time students and young people no longer have, with education and part time jobs taking up most free time. Despite this, there are ways of adding small amounts of reading time that would greatly impact the younger generation. Making little changes, like reading before bed instead of scrolling on your phones would not only help with critical thinking skills, but reduce stress levels and anxiety. Reading before bed would also contribute towards better sleep and focus levels of students. Finding time to read, whether it’s in the morning, during lunch breaks or just before bed – it is important to find a time that works for you and stick with it to develop it into a routine.
Another healthy alternative for young people that might not have time to fit in reading time is listening to audiobooks. These can be listened to whilst doing chores, exercising or commuting to school to make the most of any available spare time.
Whether the reason for young people no longer reading is down to the dangers of social media and technology or simply not finding time in your schedule – it is integral to fit reading time into your routine to further improve your lifestyle.
