ALBAWABA - A recent study went into detail about the effects digital reading has on children, revealing that it may hinder their reading comprehension skills more than previously believed.
Contrary to earlier assumptions that digital resources could improve education, the study suggests that digital texts, such as social media conversations and blogs, are often shorter and of lower linguistic quality compared to printed works.
The researchers found that while digital reading can improve comprehension skills, its benefit is significantly lower than print reading. The study suggests that digital reading is six to seven times less effective.
To counteract this issue, experts recommend that parents and teachers limit children's exposure to digital content or encourage them to use basic e-readers with ink screens.
A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Valencia in Spain further supports these findings. They consolidated 26 studies involving approximately 470000 participants and found that digital reading does enhance comprehension to some extent, albeit at a noticeably reduced level compared to print reading. This suggests a negative impact on children's reading skills.
Naomi Baron, professor emeritus of world languages and cultures at American University, suggests that physical properties unique to books may contribute to increased retention and enjoyment of the material.
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The act of physically holding a book, following along with distinct pages, and even the sensory aspects such as smell, appearance, and texture all play a role in enhancing the reading experience.
Undoubtedly, distractions from social media, YouTube, and video games are easily accessible while reading digital content, making it more challenging to maintain full comprehension. Therefore, finding a balance between digital and print reading, as well as limiting exposure to distractions, can help promote optimum comprehension and enjoyment of reading materials for children.
