The Brain Prefers to Read on Paper Rather Than on Screens, a New Study Says
A new study suggests that the brain prefers reading on paper over screens, as it processes information more deeply and retains it better when reading from physical print. The research indicates that screen reading tends to encourage more superficial, skimming behavior compared to the focused attention paper reading requires.
Background
- A new study from Japanese researchers (published in *Frontiers in Psychology*, April 2025) used EEG and eye-tracking to compare reading comprehension and brain activity when people read on paper versus on screens (smartphones or tablets).
- The key finding: reading on paper triggered more brain activity linked to "deep reading" (focus, memory encoding, and emotional engagement) and was associated with better recall of the material, especially for longer or more complex texts.
- This adds to a growing body of "screen inferiority" research—studies that show people tend to skim, get distracted, and retain less when reading on digital devices, even if they subjectively feel equally engaged.
- The study matters for anyone whose work or learning involves heavy screen use: students, professionals, knowledge workers. It suggests that paper isn't obsolete for serious reading and may help explain why many people still prefer print for books, long-form journalism, and dense documents.
- Inc. is a US business and technology magazine; Jessica Stillman is a regular contributor covering productivity, psychology, and workplace trends.