According to a new study out of Spain, reading on paper engages the reader much more than reading digital texts. The study, which was published in the Review of Educational Research, analyzed over 25 research studies conducted between 2000 and 2022, involving almost 470,000 participants in total. It found that reading on paper offers several advantages, including improved knowledge acquisition and comprehension.
The study’s authors, Cristina Vargas and Ladislao Salmerón, explained that the relationship between the frequency of reading printed texts and text comprehension is much higher than that of leisure digital reading habits. They state that reading a text on paper for 10 hours will likely result in comprehension that is six to eight times greater than if the same amount of time is spent reading on digital devices.
Different benefits for different ages
Interestingly, the research found that the effect of reading on paper versus reading digitally varied based on the reader’s level of education. Elementary school students had less comprehension when reading on a screen, while high school and university students had less difficulty in processing digital content compared to their younger counterparts.
Salmerón explained to the Guardian that young children “may not be fully equipped to self-regulate their activity during digital ‘leisure’ reading.” However, the researchers emphasized that they are not opposed to reading digitally, and highlighted the different contributions that reading modalities and technological contexts have on reading comprehension.
In conclusion, despite the advantages of reading on paper, the researchers emphasized the importance of encouraging reading in all its forms, including digital reading. They acknowledged that reading on a screen may not be suited to everyone’s needs, particularly young people, but stressed that it is better than not reading at all in a time when reading competes with other forms of entertainment like television and social networks. – AFP Relaxnews
