What Research Reveals About Your Child's Reading Success
Does it matter if your child reads from a tablet, computer screen, or a traditional book? While digital devices have become widespread in children's lives, compelling research suggests that the medium through which children read can significantly affect their comprehension. A comprehensive study from Norway involving over 1,100 fifth-grade students (10-year-olds) has revealed surprising findings about how children process information differently when reading from screens compared to paper—and the results challenge many of our assumptions about digital learning. As parents and educators increasingly turn to digital resources for learning, understanding these differences becomes essential for supporting children's reading development. This research offers valuable insights that might change how we approach reading in both home and classroom settings.
The Paper Advantage: What the Research Shows
The Norwegian study published in the journal "Computers & Education" used a rigorous methodology to compare reading comprehension across different mediums. Utilizing a within-subjects design, researchers had 1,139 students take two comparable versions of a reading comprehension test—one on paper and another digitally, with test versions and the order of medium carefully balanced to ensure valid results.
Here's what they discovered:
- Consistent paper advantage: Students achieved significantly lower scores on the digital test than on the paper version, regardless of gender or reading skill level.
- Widespread effect: Almost a third of the students (30.5%) performed noticeably better on the paper test than on the computer test.
- Highest impact on strongest readers: Contrary to what many might expect, the negative effect of screen reading was most pronounced among high-performing students, especially girls.
- Comprehensive impact: The paper advantage appeared across different types of texts, including both narrative and informational materials.
These findings align with emerging meta-analyses involving tens of thousands of students globally, which consistently demonstrate that reading comprehension on paper surpasses that on screens for both children and young adults.
Why Does This Happen? Understanding the Screen Effect
The research points to several factors that may explain why children comprehend better when reading from paper:
The Scrolling Challenge
Digital reading often involves scrolling, which can interfere with the reader's understanding of text structure and the spatial organization of information. This interference makes it harder for children to form a coherent mental representation of the text, potentially consuming the limited working memory required for comprehension.
Reading Behavior Differences
Many children have developed distinct reading habits for screens that differ from their approach to reading paper. Researchers have observed some children tracing text lines with their fingers on computer screens—a technique that works well on paper but may hinder digital reading speed.
Metacognitive Awareness
Interestingly, many children are unaware that they understand better on paper. Studies show that readers often overestimate their comprehension of texts they read on screens—a finding consistent among both children and university students.
Higher-Order Reading Processes
The research indicates that inferential comprehension—a higher-order reading process—might be more adversely impacted by reading on computers than factual recall. This may clarify why top-performing students, who excel at higher-order reading tasks, exhibit the most significant difference in performance between paper and screen.
What This Means for Your Child's Learning
These findings have significant implications for our approach to reading and learning in the digital age:
Not all reading is equal. Although digital devices certainly offer advantages for certain learning activities, they may not serve as the best medium for developing deep reading comprehension skills—especially for material that demands concentrated focus and complex understanding.
Digital reading skills must be taught. Children do not automatically know how to read effectively on screens. Research shows that they may be using ineffective strategies for digital reading, such as skimming and scanning techniques that they typically apply during casual online browsing.
Gender differences are important. The study revealed that high-performing girls faced particular disadvantages with screen reading. This indicates a need for awareness regarding how digital learning may uniquely impact different groups of students.
The medium influences assessment. If children perform better on paper tests, this raises critical questions about the growing trend toward digital assessment in schools. Are we assessing reading ability or digital reading ability?
Practical Strategies for Parents and Educators
Based on these research findings, here are actionable recommendations for supporting children's reading development:
Balanced Reading Approaches
- Prioritize physical books for deep, focused reading experiences, particularly for longer texts that demand sustained attention.
- Use digital formats for specific purposes where their features offer benefits, such as quick information access or content with embedded multimedia. Establish a home environment that values and provides access to both printed and digital reading materials.
Developing Digital Reading Skills
- Explicitly teach children various reading strategies for digital texts, including how to stay focused while scrolling.
- Help children identify when it's necessary to slow down and read more attentively on screens.
- Encourage children to take notes while reading digitally to improve comprehension and retention.
Supporting Different Learning Needs
- Be especially attentive to high-performing readers, who may be most affected by the switch to digital reading.
- Consider offering paper alternatives for important reading tasks, particularly for complex material.
- Help children develop metacognitive awareness about their own reading comprehension on different media.
Important Considerations
While this research provides valuable insights, several nuances must be kept in mind:
Digital literacy remains essential. Despite the advantages of paper in promoting comprehension, digital literacy is still a crucial skill in today's world. The goal should be to help children master reading in both formats.
Technology continues to evolve. The study utilized standard computer screens with scrolling text. Different devices, such as e-readers designed to mimic paper, might yield different results.
Individual differences exist. While the trends are evident, not all children exhibited the same pattern. Approximately 15% of students in the study actually performed better on screens. It’s important to understand your child's specific learning preferences.
Context matters. The research specifically focused on reading comprehension tests. The medium's effect may vary for different types of reading activities or when reading is combined with other learning tasks.
Finding the Right Reading Balance in a Digital World
As our children navigate an increasingly digital world, this research reminds us that traditional approaches to reading still hold significant value. Instead of viewing paper and digital reading as competing alternatives, we can see them as complementary tools in a child's learning journey—each with unique strengths and suitable applications.
The key takeaway isn't that digital reading is harmful, but rather that thoughtfully integrating both paper and digital media likely offers the best strategy for cultivating strong, adaptable readers. By grasping the strengths and limitations of each medium, parents and educators can make informed choices that support children's reading development.
What reading patterns have you observed in your children? Have you noticed differences in their engagement or comprehension when they read from different formats? Raising awareness about these differences might be the first step in helping children develop effective reading strategies for both paper and screen.
Based on: Støle, H., Mangen, A., & Schwippert, K. (2020). Assessing children's reading comprehension on paper and screen: A mode-effect study. Computers & Education, 151, 103861.