Can TikTok and diversity address 'historic low' in reading?

Figures show an "historic low" in the number of children who are reading in their free time

The number of children who read in their spare time has hit an "historic low", according to the National Literacy Trust, with fewer than one in three describing themselves as regular readers.

In one school in Bradford, however, English teacher Katie Nelson said an increase in diverse voices and stories and the use of TikTok in the classroom had been proving a hit with pupils.

"The ability for our girls to see themselves represented is so powerful," Miss Nelson said.

"Where they can be the heroes of the story really helps them in terms of their confidence."

English teacher Katie Nelson says that diverse stories are a hit with pupils

Belle Vue Girls Academy caters for more than 1,100 pupils from across Bradford from a range of cultural backgrounds.

As part of the city's year as UK City of Culture, publisher Penguin has donated 5,000 books from diverse authors to secondary schools across Bradford, including Belle Vue.

Miss Nelson said students and staff were already feeling the impact of the year-long cultural celebration.

"A lot of people have suddenly realised that our city is now being nationally recognised for its diversity and its difference," she said.

"I think more of them now want to see their stories represented where they don't necessarily see them already.

"A lot of people now feel like we matter and our stories matter."

Penguin has donated 5000 books to schools across Bradford

Student, Fasanya, 15, said: "I think celebrating authors from different backgrounds is fantastic. It encourages people to read more and write more.

"The other day I was reading a book by a Nigerian author, and I'm Nigerian and I felt really proud. It's great to see someone from where I've come from writing books and making it big.

"It makes me feel like, if she can do it, I can do it as well."

Fasanya said she feels "really proud" to read books by authors from Nigeria

Lucy Starbuck-Braidley is a Senior Programme Manager for reading for enjoyment at the National Literacy Trust.

She said the charity's annual literacy survey, which gathers responses from more than 70,000 children and young people, had shown "the lowest levels we'd ever seen".

"In Yorkshire and the Humber it was 37%, and that's down considerably from the previous year, so we've seen a pretty steep decline," she said.

In areas of financial deprivation, she said one of the biggest barriers to reading was access to books.

"We know that the cost-of-living crisis has really impacted parents' ability to buy books, and for schools' ability to keep their books up to date and fresh and enticing for children in those settings," she said.

"It can create this kind of perfect storm where reading is on a downward trend but there is also less access to a really rich, diverse collection of books, which is what children and young people need if they're going to be interested in reading."

The charity added that it was a "particular crisis for secondary school pupils", whose reading had dropped to the lowest level recorded since the surveys began in 2005.

The National Literacy Trust said the biggest barrier to reading is access to books

As well as increasing the range of diverse books the National Literacy Trust is also encouraging ways to involve social media in reading, including BookTok - a subcommunity on TikTok focused on books and literature.

"Things like BookTok can really motivate and change patterns of behaviour, and it can be a really good and positive thing," said Ms Starbuck-Braidley.

"These aren't things that are separate from literacy, and I think it's really important for adults who are in contact with children to look for ways they can broaden that interest in other reading materials."

Sarah said reading was like "living a thousand lives"

Belle Vue pupil Sarah, 14, said she had not enjoyed reading until she started using BookTok.

"Most other teenagers aren't into reading, and I was that kind of person. I started reading and was like 'oh my gosh it's so boring, I could just watch TikTok'," she said.

"BookTok really got me into reading. I saw this recommendation called Cruel Prince and my English teacher had it and I was really happy.

"I really like fiction books, it's like an escape from reality, it's a way of living a thousand lives."

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