More Americans pledge to pick up books instead of screens, study finds

Half of all Americans want to cut screen time for their well-being, and Gen Zers are leading the 2026 trend, according to a new study.

More than 60% of young adults ages 18 to 29 – the core of Generation Z – said they want to “get offline.” Millennials (ages 29 to 44) feel similarly, with 57% pledging to reduce their screen time. Only 42% of Gen X (ages 45 to 60) and 22% of Baby Boomers (ages 62 to 80) said the same.

Talker Research, on behalf of ThriftBooks, interviewed 2,000 Americans in early December for the study on respondents’ 2026 goals regarding screen time and reading habits.

The survey found 54% of Gen Zers and 43% of Millennials designate a “screen-free time” each day, while only 33% of Gen X and 22% of Baby Boomers do the same. The questionnaire additionally asked if respondents use password-protection to enforce the time limit and how long this designated time lasts, spanning from 30 minutes to more than three hours.

Respondents said limiting screen time makes them feel more productive, more present for family and more situationally aware. In contrast, they said they feel overwhelmed, anxious, irritable and discontented after too much digital consumption. Those surveyed also said 70% of the time spent online creates feelings of disconnection and loneliness, not genuine relationships.

More than 8 in 10 Americans (84%) said they have incorporated new habits to replace time spent online, including writing in a physical notebook (32%), reading printed books (31%) and playing board games or doing puzzles (27%). Seven in 10 respondents said they plan to read more in 2026. 

“The study findings indicate that people are more aware than ever of the value of offline time,” ThriftBooks Vice President of Sales and Marketing Barbara Hagen said in a statement. “What’s even more interesting and positive to see is that people are replacing this time with healthy habits and activities, like reading.”