Americans read just 19 minutes per day

A recent study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the average American spends only 19 minutes a day reading; young people read less than ever, apparently, with people aged 25 – 34 reading 8 minutes a day on weekends and holidays, while those 20 – 24 average around 10. This, of course, is a decline: A report from Common Sense Media found that 45% of 17-year-olds admit only reading for pleasure a few times a year—up from 19% in 1984.

The causes implicated were obvious, naturally having to do with the ubiquitous presence of screens in our lives. Is this progress? It’s hard to say. Vox has some pretty charts that’ll help you decide for yourself.