Americans Read Less for Pleasure as Screen Time Rises
Study Finds 40% Decline in Recreational Reading Over Two Decades.
A recent study shows that Americans are spending less time reading for pleasure, while devoting more time to screens. Recreational reading has declined by 40% over the past two decades.
Researchers from University College London and the University of Florida analyzed data from more than 230,000 Americans aged 15 and older between 2003 and 2023. They found that the percentage of people who read a book, magazine, or digital text daily fell at an average rate of 3% per year. Reading with children has almost disappeared, with only 2% of adults reporting that they do it daily.
Paradoxically, those who still read are spending more time doing so—averaging over 90 minutes of daily reading. Researcher Jill Sonnke noted that the decline in reading with children is troubling, emphasizing that family reading fosters connection, mental stimulation, and creativity.
Reading Declines in America
The study also revealed sharper declines among Americans with lower income or education levels, as well as among Black Americans and residents of rural areas—widening the cultural gap over the past two decades. Researchers suggest that digital media consumption, from social platforms to streaming and browsing, is the main driver behind the decline.
They warn that reduced reading threatens not only knowledge and language but also mental and social health, since reading has been linked to stronger language skills, critical thinking, and empathy. The researchers stressed that strategies to encourage reading should not be limited to children but should include adults, given its impact on overall well-being.
Organizations like the National Literacy Trust in London recommend practical ways to reintroduce reading into daily life—such as setting aside 10 minutes before bed, carrying a book while commuting, or making reading a shared family activity.
