Once upon a time, a book was a child’s gateway to adventure, magic, and imagination. But today, many parents face a common dilemma: our children don’t want to read books—they want screens. This growing trend of kids choosing screen over books is something many families are navigating.
The Allure of the Screen
Screens are designed to be captivating. With their bright colors, fast-paced visuals, interactive features, and endless content, it’s no wonder children gravitate toward them. Unlike books, which require sustained attention and imagination, screens deliver instant gratification. To a child, the slow unfolding of a story in a book might feel like a chore compared to the quick rewards of a YouTube video or mobile game. Choosing screen over books becomes the easier and more exciting option.
Is Reading Becoming “Boring”?
Reading requires effort. Kids need to focus, visualize, and sometimes even struggle with words or concepts. For children raised with constant screen exposure, reading can feel too slow or uninteresting. It’s not that they don’t like stories—they just prefer a medium that delivers them faster and more vividly. It’s another reason why screen over books seems more appealing.
Why It Matters
Reading is more than just a school skill. It builds vocabulary, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and creativity. Books nurture imagination in a way that passive screen time often doesn’t. When kids don’t develop strong reading habits early, it can affect their academic performance, self-expression, and even emotional resilience. Choosing screen over books too often may limit these developmental benefits.
What Can Parents Do?
The good news? We can rekindle a love for reading. Here’s how:
1. Make Reading Fun Again
Let your child read what excites them. Whether it’s comics, joke books, fantasy novels, or even books based on their favorite video games—it all counts. This makes choosing books over screens more appealing.
2. Embrace Tech Wisely
If your child loves screens, try using reading apps or audiobooks. Platforms like Epic!, Storyline Online, or Audible blend tech and storytelling to make reading more engaging. You’re not removing screens—you’re encouraging them to pick reading-focused content over purely entertaining ones, shifting the balance from screen over books to screen with books.
3. Create Cozy Reading Moments
Make reading a shared activity. Set up a “book nook,” light a few cozy lamps, bring snacks, and read together. Kids are more likely to enjoy reading when it feels like quality time.
4. Let Them Lead
Take your child to a library or bookstore and let them choose. When kids have a say in what they read, they feel more invested, making books a stronger contender against screens.
5. Set Balanced Screen Time
Avoid strict screen bans. Instead, offer alternatives: “Let’s read this short book before screen time,” or “Why don’t we try the audiobook version of that story?” This approach gently shifts the balance away from screen over books.
A Digital Generation Can Still Love Books
We don’t need to fight technology—we need to work with it. Today’s kids are growing up in a digital world, but books can still be part of that landscape. By meeting them where they are and gently guiding them toward stories that excite their imagination, we can ensure books remain magical—even in a time when screen over books is the norm.
So, the next time your child chooses a tablet over a chapter book, don’t worry. With patience and creativity, we can help them find their way back to the joy of reading—one page at a time.
How about you? Are your kids more into screens than books? Have you encountered the screen over books dilemma at home? What strategies have you tried to encourage reading? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Looking for more tips on managing screen time? Check out these helpful reads from Piipple:
