Cergy-Pontoise Launches Initiative to Combat Declining Reading Rates Among Youth
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A new program in Cergy, France, aims to reignite a passion for reading in young people, as screen time continues to eclipse traditional book consumption. The city is actively working to address a growing concern: the widening gap between time spent on digital devices and time dedicated to reading for pleasure.
The initiative, mirroring a similar effort in 2024, saw the City of Cergy distribute children’s literature to all 1,124 students in primary school during December. This year’s selections included Jules and the Fox by Joe Todd-Stanton and An Extraordinary Journey by Philip Waechter, chosen in collaboration with the National Education system.
The Screen Time Challenge
A recent study by CNL/Ipsos, conducted in April 2024 among 1,500 French citizens aged 7 to 19, revealed a stark disparity in how young people spend their leisure time. The data shows that, on average, individuals aged 7-19 devote 3 hours and 11 minutes per day to screens. For those aged 16-19, that number jumps to an average of 5 hours and 10 minutes. In contrast, the same study found that leisure reading occupies just 19 minutes of their day.
“Several studies show: there is a close link between reading mastery and academic success,” a city official stated. This observation underscores the importance of fostering a love of reading, not just for enjoyment, but for overall educational attainment. The trend of increasing screen time and decreasing reading time has been consistently observed in recent years, raising concerns about its long-term impact.
Promoting Literacy and Access
The book distribution is coupled with a broader effort to increase access to reading materials. City officials are reminding primary school students that they can borrow novels, comics, and manga free of charge throughout the year from Cergy’s three public media libraries. The selected books, officials noted, were specifically chosen to promote positive values.
“Two works…address values such as friendship, mutual aid, trust, freedom and even courage,” the city stated.
This initiative represents a proactive step toward addressing a critical issue in youth development. By prioritizing literacy and providing accessible resources, Cergy-Pontoise hopes to cultivate a new generation of readers.
