Why are we reading less?
Studies by the National literacy trust have shown that in 2025, the percentage of young people (aged 8-18) that said they enjoyed reading was just 32.7%, the lowest level in 20 years. But why does this matter, and why has it changed so drastically from 2005?
Reading is such an important hobby as it encourages empathy, grows imagination, and is crucial for cognitive and personal development, especially in younger people. Reading can also reduce stress by up to 68%, even if only for as little as 10 minutes a day by reducing heart rate and putting you in a better state of mind. Another great benefit is that partaking in cognitive activities such as reading slows memory loss compared to those who do not read.
But why are we reading less? One of the most prominent reasons is the rise of short-form content (under a minute long) , particularly on social media such as TikTok or Instagram, our usage of which has increased from 5% in 2005 to 79% of all people in 2019, which has had a detrimental effect on our attention spans, though not by as much as some may believe. In reality, our attention spans have fallen from about 2.5 minutes in 2005 to around 47 seconds today, but many may falsely believe it is significantly less than that, as low as 8 seconds- less than a goldfishes attention span of 9 seconds. It is for this reason that reading is a beneficial hobby- it allows you to focus on one thing without there being constant distractions, which can help to improve focus on everyday tasks such as homework or cleaning.
That said, getting into reading can seem daunting, as it can seem like a big commitment. However, even just 10-15 minutes a day is a good way to begin, and it is essential to consume books that are enjoyable for you, perhaps related to another form of media like a TV show or film, as this has been proven to boost interest in the book. Setting a goal to read a number of pages or chapters each day can also be a great way to start reading.
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