This seems to be an important factor. It would be surprising if a drop in reading just happened to coincide with a period where austerity reduced facilities like libraries -- which often introduced very small children to reading for pleasure. bsky.app/profile/loui...

Louie Stowell

Beyong the screens question, "we heard about the role of rising poverty and the barriers faced by disadvantaged children in reading for pleasure, including lack of access to books, a lack of quiet reading environments due to overcrowded housing, and parental stress."