Dame Jacqueline Wilson criticizes parents for being overly attached to their phones, which she believes is contributing to a decline in literacy among children.

A 2025 survey by the National Literacy Trust reveals that enjoyment of reading among children and young people is at its lowest in 20 years, with only about one-third of those aged 8 to 18 saying they enjoy reading in their free time.

She stresses the importance of early reading and parental involvement in fostering a love of books from a young age.

Wilson advocates for more substantial children’s books with more words, criticizing the trend of relying heavily on cartoons and illustrations about rude noises instead of text.

Wilson discusses how social media and online bullying negatively impact children’s mental health, making it harder for them to cope with high beauty standards and causing emotional distress.

Wilson points out that childhood has become more difficult due to the pandemic and social media, which diminish resilience and expose kids to cyberbullying and unrealistic beauty standards.