U.S. Teens Reading for Fun Nearly Halves Since 2012 as 9-Year-Olds Drop 16 Points
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 10
U.S. Teens Reading for Fun Nearly Halves Since 2012 as 9-Year-Olds Drop 16 Points
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 10
Summary
NCES data from more than 30,000 students showed the share of 13-year-olds who read for fun has fallen by nearly half since 2012, while 9-year-olds dropped 16 percentage points over 13 years.
37% of 9-year-olds said they read for fun almost every day in 2025, down from 42% in 2020 and 53% in 1984, extending a decline NCES said began well before the pandemic.
Students who read in their free time generally posted higher standardized reading scores, with the biggest gains among teens who said they read every day.
The report comes as youth screen time remains high and schools face pressure over tablets and laptops; 2024 research found more than half of teens spent at least four hours a day on screens.
In our digital age, can the simple habit of reading for pleasure be saved for future generations?
Is classroom technology an essential tool for modern learning or the main driver of declining literacy?
With most states mandating 'science of reading,' why are teacher colleges failing to prepare new educators?
The Sharp Drop in Youth Reading in the U.S.: Root Causes, Societal Risks, and the Path Forward
Overview
Youth reading and literacy in the U.S. are in sharp decline, with only 14 percent of 13-year-olds reading for fun almost every day in 2023—the lowest rate ever recorded. This drop from 27 percent in 2012 signals serious risks for academic achievement, economic stability, and society as a whole. The trend is not limited to teens; even nine-year-olds are now reading less. These declines highlight a growing crisis that could impact future generations, making it urgent to address the factors behind reduced reading and to support young people's literacy development.