UK children's reading for pleasure declines amid focus on literacy skills

7 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 28

Daily reading for pleasure among five to 17-year-olds dropped from 39% in 2012 to 25% in 2025, with the proportion rarely or never reading tripling to 15%.
While reading rates improved among 11- to 17-year-olds between 2024 and 2025, younger children saw no gains. Social media platforms like BookTok and YouTube are increasingly helping teens discover books.
The report urges parents to distinguish between literacy and reading for pleasure, highlighting that being read to daily boosts independent reading. Most parents wish their children read more, but many prioritize literacy over enjoyment.

Are parents' own screen habits undermining their efforts to encourage their children to pick up a book?

Can government initiatives truly compete with the dopamine rush of social media to revive youth reading?

Is BookTok a fleeting trend or the future of how young generations engage with literature?

As schools chase literacy scores, are they accidentally teaching an entire generation to hate reading?

Will AI tools accelerate the decline of critical thinking skills that reading has traditionally nurtured?