But we don’t just consume news on our phones.

But a recent study raises concerns around the trend of a smartphone version of page-turning.

The findings suggest that reading on electronic devices actually reduces our comprehension.

woman using mobile phone while lying on bed

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After participants finished reading, they answered ten comprehension questions.

Participants who read the printed text also sighed more often compared to those who read off a smartphone.

But past research has made similar claims.

Lakhan points out that our brains are information processing centers with finite computing power.

Year after year, we rely more heavily on our smartphones for all kinds of information.

Will printed media stand the test of time?

“However, if both smartphones and paper can serve the same purpose, I would recommend paper.”

But for important material that requires a deep understanding, experts recommend printing out the text first.

Pew Research Center.Growth in mobile news use driven by older adults.

2020;41(7):1293-1301. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6632