It’s easy to complain that "kids don't read anymore," but statistics actually show that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are consuming massive amounts of text—it’s just often on a screen. The rise of #BookTok on TikTok has turned physical books into status symbols and community touchpoints. When a book goes viral, kids don't just read it; they discuss it, make fan art for it, and obsess over it in a way that’s deeply digital.

The goal isn't to unplug the house. The goal is to build a reading culture that exists alongside the digital one.

One of the easiest ways to get a screen-obsessed kid to pick up a book is to follow their existing interests. If they are hyper-fixated on a Netflix show or a video game, there is almost certainly a book tie-in that can bridge the gap.

With the recent movie adaptation, this is the perfect time to introduce the source material. It’s a beautiful story about technology meeting nature—a theme that hits home for digital-native kids. Check out our guide on The Wild Robot movie vs book

I know, I know. The Five Nights at Freddy's lore is chaotic and borderline "brain rot" to some parents. But the book series is incredibly popular with middle schoolers. If your kid is obsessed with the game, the books are a legitimate way to get them logging hours of reading time.

This series is the "gateway drug" for the 8-12 age group. It has a massive online community, and the Wings of Fire (Graphic Novels) are a great entry point for kids who find big blocks of text intimidating.

Ask our chatbot for more book recommendations based on your kid's favorite games

We need to have a serious talk about what counts as reading. Audiobooks are reading. Graphic novels are reading.

If you are forcing a kid who struggles with decoding text to sit with a 400-page novel, you aren't building a "reading culture"—you’re building a resentment culture.

If your kid finishes a 200-page graphic novel in one sitting, celebrate it. They just practiced sustained attention for two hours. That’s a win in the digital age.

You cannot expect your child to value reading if the only time they see you with a "book" is when you're scrolling through a Kindle app on your phone. To them, you just look like you're on your phone.

Pick a time—maybe 20 minutes before bed or Sunday mornings—where everyone (parents included) puts their devices in a "charging station" in another room. If they see you reading a physical book or a magazine, it signals that reading is a high-value activity, not a chore.

Use the tech to your advantage.

At this age, it’s all about fun. Don't worry about "literary merit." If they want to read Pokemon handbooks or Diary of a Wimpy Kid for the tenth time, let them. Check out our guide on the best early reader series

This is when reading becomes social. They want to read what their friends are reading. This is the prime age for series like Warrior Cats or The Land of Stories.

Teens use books to figure out who they are. This is where #BookTok comes in. They might gravitate toward "edgier" content or romance. Be prepared for them to ask for books like It Ends With Us. Parental Note: Some YA (Young Adult) content can get very mature very quickly. It’s worth checking a guide to YA content before they dive in.

Reading requires a different kind of brainwork than watching a YouTube Short. It requires "deep work." If your kid is coming off a two-hour Fortnite session, their brain is literally too overstimulated to enjoy a book.

Pro-tip: Don't ask them to read immediately after screen time. Use a "buffer" activity—dinner, a walk, or even a shower—to let their dopamine levels reset before expecting them to engage with a story.

Instead of asking "Did you do your reading today?" (which sounds like a homework check), try:

Raising a reader in a digital world isn't about fighting the future; it's about expanding the definition of what "reading" looks like. If they are engaging with stories, critiquing plots, and expanding their vocabulary, you are winning—even if they're doing it on a Kindle or listening to a narrator while they build a digital world in Roblox.

Learn more about balancing screen time and reading habits Ask our chatbot for a personalized book list for your 10-year-old