In this study carried out online by Ipsos among 1,500 young people aged 7 to 25 at the end of January and the beginning of February, the respondents declared that they read books 3h14 per week, and spent 2h50 per day (i.e. 19h50 per week) on the internet.

This ratio changes significantly with age.

Among primary pupils, time on the internet is 60% higher.

Among students, it is almost eight times higher.

"That's the big question today: do screens cannibalize reading, how badly? Isn't it an access point to reading either?" asked the director of the opinion center of the Ipsos institute, Étienne Mercier, by presenting the study during a videoconference.

Indeed, he added, "screens partly push young people towards books".

For example, 31% of respondents say that a movie, series or cartoon prompted them to read the corresponding book.

These generations, moreover, do not compartmentalize their cultural practices.

They read more and more books on mobile phones (medium chosen by 55% of digital book readers).

And when they read a book, 47% have another activity (37% send messages, 27% go on social networks, etc.).

"It is emblematic of the need for these young people to always be attached to their circle (...) Their conception of reading is no longer that of a time of rupture", commented a sociologist from the University of Lorraine, Claude Poissenot.

"At the same time 42% say: I love to read (...) And at the same time while they are reading, almost half are doing something else", underlined the president of the CNL, Régine Hatchondo.

"There are still many young people who read. Overall, 81% of 7-25 year olds read for their leisure for personal taste," the public institution said in a press release.

But "these rather positive figures should not hide certain difficulties: 16% of young people do not like to read or hate to read".

"What is worrying, and it is not a surprise (...) is the dropout in college and high school," added Ms. Hatchondo.

Primary students say they have read "for personal taste" 8.4 books on average over the last three months, but middle school students 5.3 and high school students 3.4.

© 2022 AFP