Book reading and access among children in the UK - statistics & facts
Children’s reading behavior and ability is an ongoing topic of discussion. In an age where children and young people are using multiple digital devices and spending more time online than ever before, the temptation to passively scroll rather than actively engage with written content is growing. Many parents are aware that their child’s screen time is liable to exceed a level they are comfortable with, and a 2024 survey revealed that over 40 percent of UK parents set rules to limit their child's time spent online. With book reading being a challenging and time-consuming activity for many young people, asking them to actively do so in favor of gaming, using social media, or watching video content can be difficult. Moreover, access to books and reading behavior in general among UK kids varies according to demographic background.
