Smartphones have wiped out reading, says author

ELECTRONIC life has “wiped out books” because adults prefer to check their emails and smartphones to picking up a paperback while on the move, Dame Jacqueline Wilson has said.

The children’s author said she found it “sad” to see adults are not reading as much as they used to, claiming she was often the only one on a train journey holding a book.

Dame Jacqueline, who has written more than 100 books, said while children still had a huge appetite for reading, thanks in part to encouragement from their schools, adults increasingly appeared to prefer their smartphones.

“I find it sad that adults aren’t reading as much,” she told the BBC.

The former children’s laureate was last night honoured with a Special Award at the British Academy Children’s ceremony for her contribution to literacy and love of reading.