# Why kids need to read for fun more than ever

> Reading for pleasure builds empathy and mental health, but fewer children are picking up books.
- Title: Why kids need to read for fun more than ever · PhillyVoice
- Summary: Reading for pleasure builds empathy and mental health, but fewer children are picking up books. Reading for fun at any age improves well-being and reduces…
- Keywords: reading for pleasure, children's health, mental health, empathy, cognitive development, academic performance, well-being, stress reduction, book clubs, screen time, university of cambridge, nation's report card
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/reading-pleasure-mental-health-benefits
- Published: 2026-09-16T20:48:58.809+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: reading for pleasure, children's health, mental health, empathy, cognitive development, academic performance, well-being, stress reduction, book clubs, screen time, university of cambridge, nation's report card
## Reading for fun has real benefits
A new research review found that reading for pleasure at any age boosts well-being, reduces stress, and increases empathy.
## Kids who read early do better in school
Research involving 10,000 children shows that reading for fun improves memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
## It's never too late to start
Barbara Sahakian, a psychiatry professor at the University of Cambridge, says reading can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age.

> it's never too late to start
## But children are reading much less
In 2025, only 37% of 9-year-olds read for fun almost every day, down from 53% in 1984. For 13-year-olds, it dropped to 14% from 35% in 1984.
## Screen time is eating reading time
A federal survey found that more than 50% of 12- to 17-year-olds spend at least four hours each day online.
## Books aren't the only option
Graphic novels, magazines, and comics all provide the same benefits as traditional books. The key is finding material that matches a child's interests.
## Reading fights loneliness in adults
Studies show that reading for pleasure reduces feelings of loneliness and improves social connection, especially when people participate in book clubs.
## It protects aging brains
Frequent reading is linked to slower cognitive decline in older adults, helping preserve mental sharpness as we age.
## We need to make reading a priority
Christelle Langley, a psychiatry professor at Cambridge, says we should do everything we can to introduce children and young people to reading.
## Key takeaway

Reading for fun at any age improves well-being and reduces stress, but children's reading habits are declining sharply since the 1980s.