Develop a love for reading in the digital age

Discover how to nurture your child’s imagination and love of reading in a world ruled by screens. Simple, screen-smart ideas that work for modern families.

Social media isn’t going anywhere. Like the stubborn glitter from an old craft project, it’s here to stay, clinging to our lives, our feeds, and sometimes, our children’s attention spans. Which is why World Book Day feels more important than ever.

When I became a mum at 40, my “library” was the Internet. Every day was Book Day, and my librarian was Google. I could browse stories, print worksheets, and order sticker books at 2am without judgment.

Call me nostalgic, but nothing will ever replace the feeling of a real library. That familiar hush, the slightly musty scent of paperbacks, and the quiet pride of carrying home a stack of stories taller than your own head. It was my safe place, my passport to other worlds, and if you’d told me back then that one day I’d be competing with a tablet screen for my child’s attention, I’d have laughed.

Why reading still matters (and maybe more than ever)

Fast-forward to today, and our children’s imaginations are under siege. YouTube Shorts, gaming, social media, all vying for their focus. That’s why I’ve come to treasure our evening Bath, Book, Bed routine with little C. No screens, no noise, just the two of us sinking into stories.

This year, as part of World Book Day (March 5th), I’m supporting the Get Kids Reading campaign, a national initiative reminding parents that reading to our children isn’t just about dressing them up as a character from the weekly grocery aisle.

The campaign’s real goal is to highlight how digital habits are affecting literacy, and to give parents practical tools to bring books back into everyday life.

The truth about screens and our kids

A landmark study by University College London (UCL) followed 11,000 children to explore the effects of social media on literacy, wellbeing, and sleep. Their findings, in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Research (IESR), were stark. Heavy social media use correlated with higher levels of depression, poor sleep, cyber-bullying, and lower self-esteem.

None of that is particularly surprising to parents like us, but it is a wake-up call. The digital world isn’t the enemy, but it is a rival for our children’s imagination. And imagination, once lost, takes real work to rebuild.

“The digital world isn’t the enemy, but it is a rival for our children’s imagination. And imagination, once lost, takes real work to rebuild.”

How technology can help reading

Here’s the good news: some clever people are bridging the gap. One example is Sooper Books, a free online children’s library that turns screen time into story time. Their short stories are perfect for modern families, it’s bite-sized, free, and accessible anywhere.

They’ve even partnered with writers and parents (like me) to share tips, tools, and resources to help you keep storytelling alive in your home. Think of it as digital done right.

How to create a cosy reading nook your child will love

Forget Pinterest perfection. This is about creating a little corner that whispers “curl up and stay a while.”

• Find a nook: A corner of the bedroom or living room will do. Add a beanbag, a few cushions, and a small shelf within arm’s reach.
• Add magic lighting: Fairy lights or a soft lamp can turn a simple space into something enchanting.
• Give it personality: If your child loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar, add caterpillar cushions or a leafy green blanket. Themed spaces feel special, even on a budget.

Making reading fun: storytelling tips that work

If you’ve ever read The Tiger Who Came to Tea, you’ll know that voice acting is half the fun. The tiger gets a deep, rumbling growl. Sophie gets a curious little squeak.

Try pausing mid-story to ask questions. While reading We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, I’ll ask, “Do you think they’ll find the bear? What would you do if you saw one?” Little C usually insists he’d make friends with it, though I suspect that’s because he’s still awake past bedtime.

And if you’re raising a tech-curious child, lean in. Apps like Sooper Books or Epic! let kids follow along with audio and visuals that bring words to life. Audiobooks like The Wonky Donkey are brilliant on car rides, they come complete with silly sound effects that make the whole car giggle.

Make it personal: your own family story

Not every child connects with the same tales, and that’s fine. What matters is finding something they care about. Some families even write their own bedtime stories, turning family jokes and adventures into little books. I love that idea, a handmade heirloom of sorts, filled with characters who really do exist (and occasionally forget to tidy their Lego).

You can print them, illustrate them, or just tell them aloud. Either way, it’s storytelling in its purest form.

“Stories aren’t just for children. They’re for the child still living quietly inside us, waiting for one more page.”

We can’t delete social media, but we can give our children the gift of imagination, the kind that lives between the covers of a book, not behind a password.

So this World Book Day, forget the costume panic and rediscover the joy of reading together. Start small. Start tonight. And remember: stories aren’t just for children, they’re for us too.