The Impact of Increased Screen Time on Youth and the Relationship to a Decline in Reading

The digital age has provided young people with unprecedented access to information and social connection. Children can now have their questions answered instantly, without needing to engage in extensive reading or interaction. While these conveniences enhance efficiency, they have also reshaped how youth interact with the world. Screen time has increased substantially due to widespread use of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices, affecting youth development in areas such as cognitive skills, social behaviors, and physical health. A key concern emerging from this shift is the decline in reading habits among young people, a trend supported by both statistical findings and recent publications on the subject.

As screen time rises, reading habits decline, impacting youth academic performance and mental well-being. According to Haidt’s The anxious generation: How the rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness began in the early 2010s with the advent of smartphones, social media, and high-speed internet (Haidt, 2023). This shift moved adolescents’ social lives online, leading to increased anxiety, loneliness, and depression as in-person interactions gave way to “shallow social connections” (Haidt, 2023). Such changes disrupted developmental activities like in-person play and communication, which are essential for mental resilience and well-being. Critical executive functioning skills — such as impulse control, working memory, and emotional regulation — develop in the brain’s frontal lobe from childhood through young adulthood. These skills are best cultivated through human interaction, play, and diverse experiences, all of which are increasingly diminished by screen-heavy lifestyles.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data underscores these concerns, showing a marked decline in reading proficiency among American students, particularly following the pandemic, which intensified digital learning and screen use (NAEP, 2023). Recent NAEP results indicate that reading scores for fourth and eighth graders have fallen to their lowest levels in decades, suggesting that extensive screen time may be reducing the time spent on reading, which is crucial for developing comprehension and critical thinking skills.

The consequences of declining reading skills extend beyond academics, affecting students’ engagement with life. Haidt notes that excessive screen time affects boys and girls differently: boys often become more isolated due to video games, while girls experience increased anxiety from social media pressures (Haidt, 2023). Both tendencies decrease time for reading and other offline pursuits that foster mental and emotional growth.

To address these challenges, coordinated efforts from parents, educators, and policymakers are needed. Haidt recommends measures such as delaying smartphone ownership and limiting social media access until high school to safeguard children’s mental health (Haidt, 2023). Additionally, programs that promote reading at home and in schools could counterbalance the effects of screen time, fostering critical thinking and empathy.

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reports that U.S. children aged 8–12 spend about 4–6 hours per day on screens, while teens average up to 9 hours (AACAP, 2023). Such extensive screen time raises questions about when youth have time for reading. The hours once spent on reading for pleasure are increasingly consumed by digital activities, further contributing to the decline in literacy skills.

Research highlights the crucial role of human interaction in early language development. Children acquire essential language skills — including vocabulary and phonology — through interactions with adults (Language Development Research, 2023). The quality of these exchanges significantly affects children’s language and literacy abilities, areas that struggle due to insufficient exposure to robust vocabulary and background knowledge necessary for reading (Research, 2023).

Reading Statistics and Decline in Literacy Skills

The decline in reading habits is well-documented. The NAEP, often called the “Nation’s Report Card,” reports troubling literacy trends. Since 2017, reading scores for both fourth and eighth graders have fallen, with scores at their lowest in decades (NAEP, 2023). This trend suggests not only reduced reading habits but also declining literacy skills, essential for lifelong learning and future career success. According to the NAEP, reading proficiency correlates with earning potential and critical thinking, both vital in the modern workplace.

The Effects of Screen Time on Cognitive and Social Development

Experts express growing concern about the effects of screen time on cognitive and social development. Excessive screen time has been linked to shorter attention spans, decreased memory retention, and a limited capacity to process complex ideas. Psychologists suggest that children may miss essential developmental milestones when screen use dominates their time, a situation particularly worrying for reading, as books have been shown to improve vocabulary, empathy, and focus (Psychological Impacts, 2023).

What Can Parents and Educators Do?

To counteract these effects, educators and parents can work together to promote balanced screen use and encourage reading. Schools might limit screens during class, create screen-free competitions, or reward students who put devices aside for outdoor play. Libraries can also incentivize reading through creative programs that engage students with books. Psychologists recommend that parents establish screen time boundaries, encourage device-free activities, and prioritize reading to support language and literacy development.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2023). Children and screen time: Managing media use for health. Retrieved from [AACAP](https://www.aacap.org)

Haidt, J. (2023). *The Anxious Generation: How the Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness*. Penguin Random House.

Muppalla, S. K., Vuppalapati, S., Reddy Pulliahgaru, A., & Sreenivasulu, H. (2023). Effects of excessive screen time on child development: An updated review and strategies for management. *Cureus, 15*(6), e40608. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608

National Assessment of Educational Progress (2023). NAEP Report Card: 2023 Reading and Math Scores.