Literacy news
Survey finds children still prefer reading physical books to e-books
16 Jan 2013
The number of children who have read an e-book has almost doubled since 2010 but children still prefer reading print books for fun, according to Scholastic's Kids and Family Reading Report.
The publisher surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,074 US children aged six to 17 and parents to compile the research on children's reading habits.
46% of children responding to the survey said they had read an e-book, up from 25% in 2010. More than half (58%) of respondents aged 9-17 said they will always want to read books printed on paper even if there are e-books available. 80% of children still read mostly print books.
Among the children who have read an e-book, 21% said they are reading more books for fun, with 26% of boys agreeing with the statement. Only 9% overall read fewer books for fun.
Children and parents identified convenience as the most popular benefit to reading e-books, with 57% of children and 50% of parents choosing this reason.
Children prefer e-books when they don't want their friends to know what they are reading and when they are travelling, the survey found, but value print books more when they are reading at bedtime and when they want to share a book with friends.
Nearly half, 49%, of parents think their child does not spend enough time reading for fun, according to Scholastic. Ninety-two percent of children said they are more likely to finish a book they choose themselves.
Read the full story at The Bookseller.
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