Is Reading Dead?

Reading for pleasure seems to have become a foreign phrase among many in our generation. The notion that we might, of our own accord, choose to pick up a book instead of a phone in our free time feels increasingly far-fetched, and to me, that is both troubling and curious.

The National Literacy Trust found in 2024 that only 35% of eight-to-eighteen-year-olds enjoy reading in their spare time, a steep decline from previous years. This shocking figure underlines the worrying reduction in reading taking place within our generation. So, why is this happening? Why don’t people enjoy reading anymore, and how is it affecting us?

Credit: Johner RF

To answer the question on why reading has become so unpopular, it is clear that this sharp decline in reading has coincided with the rise of the digital age and social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram make it effortless to swipe through thirty-second clips, training our brains to crave the quick hit of dopamine they deliver. This instant gratification has eroded our ability to sit and focus for long periods, as we have grown used to ingesting information in short, visually stimulating bursts that require minimal effort or concentration. This lack of focus doesn’t just affect our ability to read for an hour, but people even struggle to sit through an entire movie without reaching for their phone. Books, once an integral part of leisure and learning, have become casualties of the attention economy. The tragic irony of this is that as our digital literacy grows, our actual literacy declines.

Another problem is that people are not just simply reading less, but the complexity of literature itself is seeing a huge downturn. The Economist found that of books released since the 1930s, the average sentence length has decreased by almost a third. Books are gradually becoming simpler and easier to understand, which is a worrying trend pointing to a declining literary culture.

This consequence of social media is an unspoken disaster. Reading, which was once a valued part of everyday life, is now viewed as a chore. The ability to read for pleasure is a privilege that many no longer appreciate. Our generation, in particular, has seen one of the steepest declines in reading rates, which is a shift that carries serious consequences. Reading is a powerful tool: it allows us to step outside our own consciousness, cultivates imagination, and strengthens focus. Studies have shown that people who read regularly tend to feel happier and more relaxed, illustrating its impact on wellbeing and mental health. Beyond that, reading remains fundamental to developing strong literacy skills and sustained attention, skills which are vital for students as we start preparing for the working world.

It is true that at this university there is always an abundance of things to do, leaving little room for relaxation. After a full day of lectures and hours buried in the library reading academic articles and textbooks, the last thing you probably want to do in your free time is read another book. But, if you find yourself bored at the end of the day, perhaps it is worth picking up a book instead of your phone. Who knows, you might find something that you really enjoy.