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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Survey: Parents worry kids' online reading affects time reading books

In the 2010 Kids and Family Reading Report, a national survey released September 29, researchers found that from age 6 – 17, the time kids spend reading books for fun declines while the time kids spend going online for fun and using a cell phone to text or talk increases. Parents express concern that the use of electronic and digital devices negatively affects the time kids spend reading books (41%), doing physical activities (40%), and engaging with family (33%).

The study was conducted by Scholastic, a publishing, education, and media company, and Harrison Group, a marketing and strategic research consulting firm. A few additional findings from the survey:

  • 28% of kids (ages 9-17) think that looking through postings or comments on social networking sites like Facebook counts as reading; only 15% of parents agree.
  • 25% of kids (ages 6-17) have read a book on a digital device (the majority on a computer or laptop/netbook).
  • 86% of kids feel proud and have a sense of accomplishment when they finish reading a book.
  • Only 50% of kids say reading books for fun is extremely or very important; compared to 89% of parents.
  • 71% of parents wish their child would read more books for fun. 75% of children (ages 9-17) say they know they should read more.

    The full 2010 The Kids & Family Reading Report is available online.

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