H
ow do you get teenagers to read newspapers? The Hindu In School team is often asked this question by teachers, parents, and fellow journalists. It is also something that we reflect on while writing and producing a newspaper that caters to young readers between the ages of 13 and 18.
The question assumes importance because multiple studies, conducted around the world, claim that the rate of students reading for pleasure or general awareness is declining sharply. These surveys blame the trend on social media, specifically short-form videos, which has significantly altered the patterns of information consumption.
One such survey conducted in the U.K. in 2025, by the communication regulator Ofcom, showed that 57% of respondents in the age range of 12-15 were getting their news and information from social media platforms. The scenario is not very different in other countries, including India.
As one journalism student told the In School team during an interaction, “I don’t go looking for news on social media. It comes as part of the overall content that I view. What I like is that I can instantly react to the news, through likes, shares, and comments.” This is a popular sentiment among young readers.
