An illustration depicts a child reading a book amongst his peers, who are on their phones. Since the early 2000s, literacy rates among younger generations have been on a steady decline, which some experts attribute to a widespread increase in internet and social media usage. “In previous generations, teenagers often turned to books or magazines to occupy their free time. Now, many would rather scroll on their phones, browsing content driven by an algorithm designed to keep them engaged for as long as possible,” 2025-26 Variety Editor Adah Hamman wrote. Illustration by Tess Wagtendonk
As youth literacy rates continue a years-long decline, some experts have begun to examine the impact technology has had on reading habits.
American teenagers are struggling to read.
According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, a test administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, 33% of eighth graders are considered “below basic” in terms of their reading and comprehension skills. Additionally, the average reading score among 12th graders was the lowest to have ever been reported since the NAEP first began its assessments in 1969.
Although many experts have attributed this decline to the lasting effects of COVID-19, the truth is that this trend far predates the pandemic, with one factor being the recent growth of the internet and social media.
Around the early 2010s, internet usage among adolescents began a rapid ascent in popularity, fueled by the development of social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. According to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center, 46% of 13 to 17-year-olds report using the internet “almost constantly,” compared to 24% a decade prior.
In previous generations, teenagers often turned to books or magazines to occupy their free time. Now, many would rather scroll on their phones, browsing content driven by an algorithm designed to keep them engaged for as long as possible.
This rise has coincided with a steady decline in the amount of time Generation Z spends reading outside of school. According to the 2022 edition of Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report, from 2010 to 2022, the number of school-aged children who reported reading at least five to seven days a week dropped from 37 to 28%. Of that statistic, only 18% were teenagers.
While correlation does not necessarily equal causation, this connection is hard to ignore.
In previous generations, teenagers often turned to books or magazines to occupy their free time. Now, many would rather scroll on their phones, browsing content driven by an algorithm designed to keep them engaged for as long as possible.
“If you knew you had to run a marathon in three months, what would you do? You would run, and (not) just a mile a week. You’re going to have to build up your miles, change how you eat and do (other) things to get your body ready. Reading is equally as complex,” former University of Georgia Professor of Language and Literacy Education Dr. Mary Guay said. “(So), if you want to be a reader and become literate, you have to read a lot. That’s one of (my) concerns: how many books are kids reading?”
If Guay’s assertion is right, then school would be the most logical place for students to engage in activities related to reading and literacy. However, this is largely not the case.
“Having students engage with full-length texts is essential, and all of the (CCHS English department teachers) would like to see (that) number increase,” CCHS English and World Languages Instructional Coach Ginger Lehmann said. “There are several factors that make this challenging, such as prioritizing essential standards and content in one semester, a lack of motivation for students to read outside of class time and increasing deficits in reading comprehension and stamina.”
Ultimately, improving youth literacy rates is a responsibility that does not belong to just one party. It should be shared among all of the adults in an adolescent’s life, whether they’re parents, teachers or community members. If not, the issue of declining literacy rates will only worsen, and future generations will face even greater academic and professional challenges.
