In the age of social media and the internet, is there still room for reading among kids? According to a survey conducted by online learning platform GoStudent at the World Book Day (April 23), the answer is yes. Over half of young Italians have read more in the last year and agree that the pandemic has had a positive effect on their reading habits, even if 37% admit to reading almost exclusively books imposed by school. Among the favorite books of young readers are fantasy and adventure in pole position, followed by sci-fi and comics.
The data was collected through an online survey conducted in seven international markets, including Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Turkey and Mexico. A total of one thousand parents of adolescents aged between 11 and 18 were asked to answer a questionnaire on their children's reading habits and preferences.
Young readers are growing even after the pandemic
The kids in lockdown have taken many more books in hand and this trend does not seem destined to end with the end of the state of emergency. For over half of the Italian kids examined, the pandemic has had a positive impact on reading habits: 51% read more and only 8% saw a decline following Covid-19.
This trend is also common to teenagers from the other countries analysed, such as Turkey, Mexico and Spain, where the pandemic has had positive effects on reading habits for over 84% of Turkish teenagers, 69% of Mexican youth and 65% some Spanish boys.
Black shirt for Greece and Germany, where Covid-19 has had a more negative impact on young people in relation to books: 14% of parents interviewed, in fact, declared that their children have read less following the health crisis.
Italy brings up the rear for the number of books read on average
Although the pandemic has had positive effects on Italians' reading habits, only 3 out of 10 children read at least one book a month.
On average, Italians have read less than 12 books during the past year: 10% of our children have read a maximum of two books and less than 2% of those who have read at least 50 books. Compared to Italy, the other countries analyzed totaled an average of almost 14 books read during 2021. With an average of 25 books for Turks, while Mexicans with an average of less than 10 books a year are the nationality that reads Less. If we only consider the European countries examined, Italy is at the bottom of the European ranking, followed only by Spain, with less than 11 books read in 2021.
As regards the reasons why our children do not read more frequently, only 39% of Italian parents declared that their child does not like reading, against the average of 46% in the other countries analysed. On the other hand, 41% of Italian parents believe that lack of time is the main reason why our kids don't read as much as they would like.
Italian parents read more than those in the rest of Europe
The study shows a close correlation between the reading habits of parents and those of their children. 43% of Italian parents interviewed said they read at least once a week. A figure higher than what was declared by Dutch parents (40%), Spanish (38%), Greek (38%) and German (13%). But among the avid readers there are parents from non-European countries examined: Turks with 66% and Mexicans with 46% of Mexicans.
The study also revealed a close correlation between the reading habits of adolescents and those of their parents. Young people in the countries analyzed whose parents said they read at least once a week are themselves more passionate readers. The children of those who read assiduously read three more books each (17) during 2021 than the average of all children and young people involved in the survey (14). While the kids whose parents say they read less than once a month, on the other hand, in turn have a lower average, with only 8 books read in the course of the past year.
Fantasy and adventure are the favorite books of young Italians
With 64% of preferences, fantasy or adventure books are the most loved by young Italian readers. Science fiction novels follow in terms of popularity. Comics, manga and illustrated books win the bronze medal. In the other fantasy/adventure markets analysed, science fiction and comics are also the three favorite genres, but there is a greater predilection for comics, manga and illustrated books than for sci-fi readings.
On the other hand, the least loved are romance books or romance novels (9%), as well as essays and specialized readings (7%), a figure lower than the average of the other countries examined.
Young readers: the great classics don't fade away
There are stories capable of standing the test of time and fitting into all generations. For example, the Harry Potter saga, whose first volume celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is still the favorite work of children and young people around the world. Even in Italy, the Harry Potter books turned out to be the most loved by young readers, with the creator JK Rowling in first place among the most popular authors. In addition to the adventures of the wizard Potter, “The Little Prince” and “The Lord of the Rings” have also received many preferences. Other names particularly loved by our boys are Agatha Christie and Stephen King.
School plays a key role in stimulating young readers
Reading and knowledge of the classics of international literature continue to play a fundamental role in the education of young people in Italy, as well as in the rest of the world. 37% of the Italian children interviewed admitted to having read exclusively or almost exclusively books imposed by the school during the past year. For 29% half of the readings consumed in 2021 were compulsory, while 34% said they mainly read books on their own initiative. Spain is the country among those analyzed in which school has most influenced the reading of the youngest (42%), in Greece, on the other hand, 50% of the interviewees said they had read more books chosen independently than those suggested by the school.
Evening is a favorite time to read a physical book
Reading entertains, relaxes and inspires Italian teenagers who, like their peers from the rest of the world, prefer to read in the evening before going to bed (52%). 41% prefer the weekend and only 6% of young readers read in the morning before going to school. Habits in line with those found in the other countries analysed.
Another important fact from the survey is that 89% of Italians are still tied to the physical book. Only 6% prefer ebooks and 3% audiobooks. In Germany, however, only 62% said they preferred physical books, ebooks and audiobooks received 11% and 14% of preferences respectively.
Finally, 69% of Italian teenagers buy their books in library. Compared to other countries, fewer books are given away in Italy: 26% said they mainly read books received as gifts, against 47% of Germans and 38% of Greeks. Worse than us only Spain (15%).
