Turning screen time into story time

In today’s digital world, children spend more time looking at screens than ever before. But what if that screen time could become the very tool that helps them unlock a lifelong love of reading? 

This International Literacy Day 2025 focuses on promoting literacy in the digital era. It’s a theme that couldn’t be more relevant. Literacy today isn’t only about reading books – it’s about digital literacy skills like accessing, evaluating, creating and engaging with digital content safely and confidently. These skills are essential for children’s education, future careers and lifelong learning. 

And yet, too many children are still being left behind. In fact, one in four children in England, leave primary school unable to read well, and around two-thirds of children no longer enjoy reading for pleasure in their free time. We also know that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are most affected by these challenges. Without the right support, this literacy gap can widen, limiting opportunities and future success. 

Using digital tools for good

Here at Bookmark, we believe in turning screen time into story time. As a digital-first literacy charity, our online one-to-one reading programme connects trained reading volunteers with children across the country. 

Through our digital reading platform, we’ve seen how technology can be harnessed not as a distraction, but as a powerful tool to help children build confidence, improve their reading comprehension and language skills, and rediscover the joy of books. 

Supporting children who may otherwise fall behind in their reading, our volunteers provide personalised reading support that many pupils need to thrive. And the results speak for themselves. 

How reading volunteers are helping children to thrive

At Kearsley West Primary – one of our partner schools in Bolton, children receiving one-to-one reading support through our programme are making exceptional progress. Many of these pupils face significant challenges, yet with the encouragement of their reading volunteers, they are catching up to their peers faster than expected. 

Located in a socially and economically disadvantaged area, Kearsley West faces varied challenges: 

• 32% of pupils have special educational needs (SEN)
• 34% qualify for free school meals – both well above the national average 

Deputy Headteacher Rebecca Todd explains that many children start nursery ​“non-speaking,” making early literacy particularly difficult to develop. 

Take Mia, who arrived in Year 3 unable to speak English. Weekly one-to-one reading sessions with a volunteer, meant she has made four terms’ worth of progress in just three terms. Not only is she thriving academically, but she is also growing in confidence and developing stronger English language skills. 

Then there’s seven-year-old Jack, who had struggled with motivation and fallen behind his classmates. After joining the programme, Jack made double the expected progress in just one term. His teacher describes him as ​‘transformed’: more confident, more engaged and even tackling homework independently. 

This shows that it’s not just about improving reading skills – it’s about confidence, self-worth and the belief that their voices matter. 

Children’s names have been changed for anonymity. 

Turn screen time into brighter futures

This International Literacy Day 2025, we celebrate the progress being made at schools like Kearsley West. 

At Bookmark, we see the transformative power of literacy every day. With the right support, children not only catch up but thrive – turning digital screen time into meaningful learning, and story time into brighter futures. 

This International Literacy Day, you can help ensure every child has the chance to experience the joy of reading. Just one hour a week as a reading volunteer is enough to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.