Children's reading 'pushed out' by other activities
Children are reading less as their lives become more crowded with other activities, new research suggests.
They are reading fewer novels, comics, magazines and websites, according to a National Literacy Trust study of 21,000 children and teenagers.
While many enjoyed reading, some 17% said they would be embarrassed if a friend saw them with a book.
A government spokesman said the findings showed the need to help young people develop a love of reading.
Half of those questioned said they enjoyed reading very much, or quite a lot, almost the same as in 2005 when the figure was 51%.
But the findings showed that just three in every 10 youngsters read daily in their own time, down from four in 10 in 2005.
More than a fifth (22%) said they rarely or never read in their own time and more than half (54%) said they preferred watching television to reading.
In 2005 more than three quarters (77%) of children read magazines, but now only 57% do.
Comic reading has dropped from 64% to 50%, and reading on websites from 54% to 50%.
The researchers said the figures highlighted "a clear issue with children's leisure time with many children enjoying reading but pushing it out in favour of other activities".
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... (BBC News - 7 September)