Study Shows Gen Z Parents Don't Want To Read To Their Children
Quick Read
Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed.
A study reveals Gen Z parents find reading aloud less enjoyable than previous generations, leading to a decline in children reading for pleasure. In 2024, only 32% of kids read for fun, while screen time increasingly replaces quality parent-child interactions.
Gen Z parents, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, don't enjoy reading aloud to their children as much as their millennial and Gen X counterparts, a new study has revealed. The generations prior to Gen Z viewed reading as a fun and meaningful bonding activity and not just an educational task.
A HarperCollins UK report reveals a sharp decline in children reading for pleasure, with fewer of them opting to choose books in their free time. The report shows that in 2012, more than 55 per cent of children aged 5 to 10 often chose to read for fun, but by 2024, that number dropped to just 32 per cent.
The study also shows that many parents don't find reading aloud enjoyable. Only 40 per cent of parents say reading to their children is fun. In 2012, about 64 per cent of parents regularly read aloud to children aged 0 to 4, as compared to 2024, when only 41 per cent do it.
Only 36 per cent of children aged 5 to 7 are read to regularly, while just 22 per cent of 8 to 10-year-olds are read to at home, according to the study.
Only 29 per cent of boys aged 0-2 are read to daily as compared to 44 per cent of girls in the same age group, it said.
The percentage of parents who say their children have too much schoolwork to read books has also sharply increased since 2012. In 2024, 49 per cent of parents of children aged 5 to 13 reported this, up from 25 per cent in 2012.
About 28 per cent of Gen Z parents think reading is a more effective way to learn, as compared to 21 per cent of Gen X parents.
The report reveals that Gen Z parents, who grew up with phones and digital media, are more likely to turn to screens for entertainment instead of books. Reading is "more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do," according to nearly one in three youngsters aged 5 to 13 in 2024, up significantly from one in four (25 per cent) in 2012.
Spencer Russell, a former elementary school teacher and Founder of Toddlers CAN Read, asked parents last week, "Why aren't you reading aloud to your kids?"
One parent said, "It's so boring," while another said, "I don't have time."
According to The Guardian, some parents reported that it was difficult for them to get their children to sit still for long periods. One parent said, "He's always interrupting," while another said, "My son just wants to skip all the pages."
Mr Russell said, "We see children who can sit still and focus for hours on YouTube or Miss Rachel, but when you sit them down with a book, they move, wiggle, or scream and run away. Screen time is replacing one-on-one, quality interactions between parent and child."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
From hashtags to headlines: How Gen Z is reshaping social discourse
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, social change is no longer driven solely by political leaders, academics, or institutions. Increasingly, it is being steered by a younger, bolder, and more connected generation-Gen Z. What was once a slow, linear process of advocacy has transformed into a dynamic, fast-paced dialogue where awareness can be amplified with a single post, and collective action can start with a hashtag. Social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, has become central to how Gen Z communicates, organises, and activates around the most pressing issues of our time like mental health, climate justice, gender equality, racial equity, and body positivity, to name a few. But this isn't just about viral trends or performative activism. What distinguishes this movement is Gen Z's insistence on authenticity, accountability, and tangible impact. Our generation is deeply aware that change doesn't end with awareness; it begins there. The online world serves as the entry point, but the momentum is carried forward through grassroots organising, institutional partnerships, and community-building efforts. For example, at Equity Ed, one of our key initiatives, a mental wellness campaign in urban schools, was born from stories shared online. Students were opening up about the lack of mental health support in educational settings. We turned those digital conversations into action: collaborating with counselors, educators, and peer leaders to introduce regular wellness circles, anonymous help desks, and stress-relief workshops across several institutions. What started as a hashtag evolved into a sustainable model for youth-led emotional support. This is happening across the world. Climate strikes organised by teenage activists, mutual aid funds shared through Instagram stories, and disability rights campaigns launched via YouTube videos showcase how Gen Z is not just participating in movements, but leading them. We are rewriting the rules of engagement. The new activism is intersectional, informed, and deeply personal. Critics often dismiss digital activism as fleeting or shallow, questioning whether likes and shares can lead to lasting change. While this skepticism isn't without reason, it overlooks the power of networked solidarity. When used intentionally, online platforms are catalysts for education, community, and mobilisation. They democratise advocacy, allowing voices from marginalised backgrounds to be heard on a global stage often for the first time. What's also encouraging is how this generation values inclusivity and nuance. There is a growing culture of listening, unlearning, and rebuilding. We see young changemakers collaborating across borders, ideologies, and disciplines, artists teaming up with coders, students working alongside legal experts, and creators amplifying academic research. Gen Z is often described as disillusioned or distracted. In reality, we are discerning. We question outdated systems, challenge harmful narratives, and envision solutions that are radically empathetic. Our activism doesn't rely on hierarchy but it thrives on collaboration. We are not interested in temporary fixes; we are building new foundations. As the founder of a youth-led organisation, I am constantly inspired by the courage, creativity, and clarity with which young people are driving change. We are not waiting for permission. We are not bound by convention. From hashtags to headlines, and from headlines to policy shifts, we are proving that social impact today starts with a connected idea and flourishes through collective will. The conversation is no longer about whether Gen Z can make a difference. It's about how institutions, media, and society at large can support and learn from this rising force for equity and justice. This article is authored by Tamanna Nambiar, founder, Equity Ed.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Fake Army recruitment centre busted in Mainpuri; two held for duping youths
Representative image. AGRA: Mainpuri Police on Wednesday uncovered a fake army and police recruitment centre operating in the Kishani area, arresting two accused—Arvind Kumar Pandey and his associate Sumit—who allegedly duped dozens of youths with false promises of government jobs. The scam came to light after Ashok, a resident of Telangana , filed a complaint stating that he had sent his six sons—Sagar, Chandrashekhar, Srikant, Raviteja, Vijay, and Laxman—for training at the centre in 2024. Each was charged between Rs 2–3 lakh, paid through a mix of online transfers and cash. The centre was run by Pandey, who promised guaranteed placements in the police and armed forces. Ashok said he learned about the centre through a YouTube video in which Pandey appeared dressed in an Army uniform, referring to himself as 'Captain' and offering assured employment. Despite undergoing three months of training, none of Ashok's sons landed a job. When Ashok tried to contact Pandey, he stopped responding and vanished. SP Vinod Kumar said the centre, named 'Indian Police Protection Force Centre,' operated from rented premises and resembled a legitimate training institute. It displayed official-looking paraphernalia such as fake ID cards, uniforms, the Ashoka Pillar emblem, and other items to mislead candidates. The centre conducted physical drills and job-readiness sessions under the guise of pre-recruitment training. However, when candidates failed to secure jobs, Pandey blamed their 'inadequate performance.' Investigations revealed that Pandey had also launched a website and uploaded promotional content online. He used agents in other states to recruit more candidates by circulating false information. Police seized a fake air gun, medical admit cards, forged ID cards showing Pandey in uniform, laptops, letter pads, and other incriminating documents. Sumit, who assisted in preparing the fake paperwork and managed administrative work, was also arrested. Pandey has a prior criminal record and was previously jailed under IPC Section 420 for cheating. The current case has been registered under Section 318(4) of the BNS (cheating and dishonesty). Police said further investigation is underway.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
Trapping social media influencers: ISI's strategy to weave an espionage-cum-propaganda network
Investigations into Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) latest modus operandi of espionage have revealed a concentrated effort to invite, entice, and then co-opt social media influencers through a variety of lures to build a web of informers among the community. Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official said the cases of Hisar-based YouTube channel operator Jyoti Malhotra and Ropar-based Jasbir Singh, who also ran a YouTube channel, are not isolated, and are part of a well-planned operation by ISI to increase its reach through the twin aims of collecting information and spreading propaganda. Central intelligence agencies and the Punjab Police have been unravelling the spy network which was cultivated by several officials based in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Two staff members of the High Commission have already been thrown out of India after the government declared them persona non grata. 'ISI has been using a variety of tools to reach out to social media influencers not only in Punjab but across the country in order to weave an espionage-cum-propaganda network, which works out in favour of Pakistan. The first step is to invite the influencers of various platforms like YouTube, Instagram, X, Snapchat, etc, to the get-togethers of the Pakistan High Commission, and then offer them visas to visit Pakistan,' the official said. Once the influencer travels to Pakistan, the next step of the operation kicks in, under which enticements may be offered by way of cash and kind, including the honeytrap method, which would be used to coerce them into doing their bidding. 'It is a slow process, and often multiple visits are encouraged to Pakistan, and the confidence level in ISI operatives who are working under cover is gradually built up. When the target knowingly or unknowingly makes a false step and falls into their clutches, they close the trap, making it difficult for the influencer to back out,' the official said. Pakistan's efforts to entice Indian YouTube channel operators for espionage stem from a combination of strategic, geopolitical, and tactical motives. Leveraging social media influence for soft power and propaganda is boosted by the reach and credibility. YouTubers, especially those with large followings (Jasbir Singh with 1.1 million subscribers and Jyoti Malhotra with 377,000–381,000 subscribers), have significant online influence. Their content can shape public perceptions, making them valuable for projecting pro-Pakistan narratives or countering anti-Pakistan sentiment in India, say investigators. By encouraging influencers to create content like 'Indian Girl in Pakistan', as seen in the case of Jyoti Malhotra, Pakistan aims to portray a positive image, potentially softening public opinion in India or globally. This aligns with 'soft power' strategies to influence narratives subtly while gathering intelligence. Influencers can also play a vital role in covert operations as they are less likely to arouse suspicion compared to traditional spies, as their travel vlogs and cultural exchanges appear innocuous, providing a cover for espionage activities. ISI has also been found to be exploiting the financial vulnerabilities of influencers, as most YouTubers rely on views, sponsorships, or external funding. Pakistani operatives offer financial rewards, sponsored trips (like Malhotra's visits to Pakistan in 2023), or other incentives to lure influencers, exploiting their need for content and revenue. Intelligence officials say that in the wake of Operation Sindoor and heightened India-Pakistan tensions, ISI likely seeks real-time intelligence on Indian military movements, cantonment details, and strategic operations, especially in border states like Punjab. 'Punjab's proximity to the India-Pakistan border makes it a focal point for espionage. YouTubers travelling in these regions can inadvertently or deliberately gather and share information about troop deployments, infrastructure, or security arrangements, which can be vital to the enemy who wants to collect granular data,' another official said.
