A recent analysis of several studies was made by Common Sense Media. The nonprofit reports that there is a definite reduction in the number of adolescents who read for pleasure. NPR’s National Desk correspondent, Jennifer Ludden, reports, “Nearly half of 17-year-olds say they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year—if that.”
Could the limitless access to technology be the reason? Common Sense Media founder and CEO, Jim Steyer studied the effects of technology on children, and he believes that technology access is just part of the problem. Steyer describes several possible reasons for less leisure reading by adolescents:
- Most children have access to e-readers, or other smart electronic devices like phones and tablets.
- Some students say that they would read for pleasure, but they have too much homework.
- The Internet can be very distracting.
Parents can still promote reading:
- Be a reader themselves.
- Purchase or borrow books from the library.
- Schedule a regular time for children to read each day.
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