Gen Z reading habits face fresh scrutiny after viral TikTok debate

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A viral comment by influencer Alix Earle has reignited debate over whether Gen Z is reading less, though research suggests younger readers are simply consuming books differently

NEW YORK: Gen Z’s relationship with books is facing fresh scrutiny after TikTok influencer Alix Earle said she had “never read a book”, prompting a wider online debate about reading habits among younger people.

Earle, 25, made the remark during a rapid-fire interview with Interview magazine editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg. Her comment quickly spread across social media, with users questioning whether it reflected a broader decline in traditional reading among Gen Z.

Is Gen Z really reading less?

The viral debate comes against the backdrop of concerns over declining recreational reading among younger people, often linked to social media, short-form video, AI and changing entertainment habits.

However, researchers say the picture is more complicated.

Studies cited by researchers Kathi Inman Berens and Rachel Noorda show that Gen Z often reads across multiple formats, including print books, e-books, audiobooks, manga, fan fiction, Wattpad, Webtoon and digital comics.

That means traditional surveys focused only on printed books may miss a significant part of how younger people engage with reading.

Print books still matter

Despite assumptions that younger readers prefer only digital content, research based on nationally representative surveys in 2020, 2022 and 2025 found that print remains Gen Z’s preferred book format.

Researchers say part of the appeal comes from “digital detox”, with physical books offering an escape from constant notifications, tracking and screen time.

Book-related culture has also become increasingly social through BookTok, Bookstagram, Goodreads, silent reading parties and literary cosplay, expanding what it means to be a reader.

TikTok is changing the reading conversation

Platforms such as TikTok have become deeply influential in shaping reading trends, particularly through BookTok, where users recommend books, share reviews and create communities around authors and genres.

The latest controversy therefore highlights a contradiction in Gen Z culture: while short-form video is often blamed for weaker attention spans, the same platforms are also helping books go viral and encouraging younger audiences to discover new titles.

Impact to expect

The debate is likely to keep attention on how reading should be measured in the digital age. Rather than abandoning books entirely, Gen Z appears to be broadening reading into a more social, multimedia and platform-driven activity.

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