A large body of research indicates that print reading matters, with children and young people who read print books tend to achieve higher scores in assessments. However, the widespread use of digital devices has changed reading habits over the past two decades. While many children and young people, including those with limited access to printed materials, read regularly in digital formats.
Concerns exist regarding the impact of digital reading on comprehension, with some studies suggesting a "screen inferiority" effect, while others find little difference compared to print reading. Evidence increasingly suggests that digital reading comprehension is affected by factors such as age, print-reading experience, the device used, and the text being read. For instance, while primary and middle school pupils tend to have lower comprehension when reading digitally for leisure, this relationship becomes positive for older adolescents and college students. Print comprehension skills are a strong predictor of digital comprehension, with highly skilled readers showing little evidence of a "screen inferiority" effect when reading digitally. This indicates that print-reading abilities and experiences provide a foundation for reading comprehension across formats.
The report examines trends in children and young people's reading habits in the UK since 2005, focusing on the past two decades. It highlights that print reading continues to dominate, with fiction being the most commonly read material in both formats. However, the percentage of children and young people reading digitally has remained stable, with a slight increase in fiction reading on screen.
Key findings reveal that:
- Print reading remains dominant: More children and young people report reading fiction, non-fiction, comics, magazines, and poems in print than on screen.
- Digital reading is an important part of everyday life: Many children and young people read digital-only materials such as personal messages, social media content, and news.
- Reading habits vary by gender, age, and background: Girls report reading a wider range of materials in print and on screens compared to boys. Digital reading increases with age, and children receiving free school meals (FSMs) are more likely to read fiction digitally.
- Reading enjoyment influences format choice: Children and young people with higher reading enjoyment are more likely to read across both print and digital formats, while those with lower enjoyment are more likely to read exclusively digitally.
- Digital-only reading trends are changing: Levels of reading digital-only materials has decreased sharply in recent years, suggesting a shift towards more visual and interactive content online.
The report concludes that digital reading plays a significant role in children and young people's literacy practices. While print reading remains dominant, digital formats offer accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for boys and children from lower-income backgrounds. The challenge is to recognize the value of diverse routes into reading and support children and young people to develop the skills needed for both print and digital reading.
