Amy Watson
Research expert covering news and publishing
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 the majority of UK parents responding to a survey expressed some level of concern about their child’s device usage. 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.
Such projects are particularly vital for kids living in deprived areas or with complex family circumstances. The Children’s Literacy Charity focuses specifically on mentoring disadvantaged children, seeking to improve their literacy before they reach middle school. Happily, these initiatives seem to have a positive effect – a survey on children’s reading in the UK found that over 75 percent of five- to eight-year-olds enjoyed it. Children’s book publisher sales revenue is on the up, indicating a hike in purchasing among those who can afford it.
Getting kids reading
Kids and teens aged eight to 18 years old are substantially more likely to read fiction and non-fiction on paper rather than on-screen. Even so, book reading is not an activity that all children can or will engage with, and schools and libraries across the UK have long been running initiatives to encourage reading practice and boost literacy among young people. The biggest children’s reading charity in the country, BookTrust, was founded in 1921 and is dedicated to helping children engage with books from their early years. The organization’s flagship program Bookstart aims to promote reading as a fun activity and inspire parents to read to their children, whilst also providing access to reading resources for those in need.Such projects are particularly vital for kids living in deprived areas or with complex family circumstances. The Children’s Literacy Charity focuses specifically on mentoring disadvantaged children, seeking to improve their literacy before they reach middle school. Happily, these initiatives seem to have a positive effect – a survey on children’s reading in the UK found that over 75 percent of five- to eight-year-olds enjoyed it. Children’s book publisher sales revenue is on the up, indicating a hike in purchasing among those who can afford it.
Factors affecting children’s reading
Data shows that children’s reasons for reading are many, but most young people read to relax or to learn something new, highlighting the impact reading can have on wellbeing and education. Unfortunately, not all children have the same amount of access to books as their peers. According to the results of an annual survey on the absolute poverty rate in the UK, children were the likeliest demographic to be living on a very low income after housing costs. Sure enough, children aged eight to 18 years old receiving free school meals had less access to reading resources than non-FSM receivers, and were less likely to have been encouraged by their parents to read.
