One-third of children in US cannot turn pages, are instead trying to swipe books: Is literacy losing the battle to screens?

A growing number of preschoolers are entering classrooms unfamiliar with basic book handling, with many instinctively swiping pages like touchscreens. Surveys in the UK and US point to rising early screen exposure and declining shared reading at home. Experts warn that shifting digital habits may reshape attention, language development, and early literacy foundations.