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]
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    111 hours ago

    We don’t cry about people no longer writing with a feather quill.

    It’s shocking and dispiriting that people assume reading is inherently “better” than the alternatives.

    • @andrewta
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      810 hours ago

      Curious what is the alternative to reading?

      • Flying SquidM
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        58 hours ago

        I’m more curious as to why someone who apparently doesn’t like reading and writing is posting on a text-based forum.

        • @andrewta
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          35 hours ago

          Lol for a moment I honestly thought you meant me.

      • @[email protected]
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        39 hours ago

        Meatwad: “Books are from the Devil and TV is twice as fast”

        Frylock: “Twice as fast at what?”

        Meatwad: “Information”