As teens' lives become increasingly digital, books compete with the compelling lure of social media, games, smartphones, screen media, and schoolwork for teens' time. Find inspiration and strategies to encourage teens to read for pleasure

Teens changing reading habits

For teens, reading may take the form of eBooks or articles online, but the dopamine pull to just ‘check’ the latest from YouTube, messages, or social media feeds is strong.

It’s not surprising that research shows teens (and adults!) are reading fewer books than before. So, as the concept of reading broadens to encompass the digital and bite-sized, we need to ensure teens' reading opportunities are also broadened

..What we need to do is not just honor all reading — as CSM suggests — but to keep offering new doors, new opportunities, and new options to teenagers. A graphic novel one day, a cool app the next, a novel on a third day, or a poem, a play, an investigative article, a description of a new discovery. The idea is to keep opening doors, so occasional readers recognize that there is something of interest–something appealing, stimulating, or unexpected–waiting for them when they do take time to read.
— Marc Aronson, from Are teenagers reading less? Consider the source

Why it's important for teens to read

Schools aren’t just about teaching children to read, but teaching children to be social beings.
— Michael Rosen

The New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) paper 'Growing Independence: A Summary of Key Findings From the Competent Learners @14 Project' shows that teens who enjoy reading are more likely to succeed in school and in their engagement with their various communities.

Continuing the habit of reading, widely, into teenage years helps teens to:

• deal with their increasingly complex world, and understand some of the adult issues they will have to grapple with
• know they are not alone – that others may be thinking and feeling the way they do
• open lines of communication, particularly if parents, teachers, librarians provide opportunities to discuss what teens are reading
• share and see how others have found solutions to problems
• develop their vocabulary
• broaden their imaginations
• improve their writing
• deal with the increasing demands of school work
• gain confidence when speaking

The above ideas are from The National Library Services to Schools, New Zealand.

I hope they may be of some help in supporting your teen reader.

Rae Howland EOHS Library