How To Keep The Art Of Deep Reading In A Digital Era

Poetry is food for the soul, and early exposure to it can give children a greater capacity for spirituality. (Alla Bielikova/Getty Images)

In an age dominated by digital screens, the practice of deep reading is becoming increasingly rare.

As we navigate through endless streams of social media, “tweets,” posts, and quick reads, the deep engagement with texts that deep reading requires is fading. This shift not only affects our ability to immerse ourselves in complex narratives but also has significant implications for our cognitive abilities, empathy, and the very way we learn.

Deep reading, a term coined to describe an immersive, thoughtful, and engaged approach to reading, contrasts sharply with the superficial skimming that characterizes much of our interaction with digital content.

According to insights from the National Library of New Zealand, reading on screens versus in print presents different experiences for the reader, with implications for learning and comprehension.

In their insight, the tactile experience of holding a book, the lack of distractions, and the linear progression of text all contribute to a more focused and enriching reading experience. This is not to say that digital reading is devoid of value, but it does suggest that the medium through which we read can influence the depth of our engagement with the text.

Depth of Touch

Reading is a multi-sensory experience that not only uses sight, but touch.

According to author of the book “The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains,” Nicholas Carr, “The shift from paper to screen doesn’t just change the way we navigate a piece of writing. It also influences the degree of  attention we devote to it and the depth of our immersion in it.”

Hypertexts and Attention Span

Arguably one of the most important tools online, hyperlinks provide great efficiency for getting from one place to another when searching for specific information. However, the problem lies in it being a detractor from reading longer, more cohesive text.

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A study from the National Library of Medicine, February 2022, two experiments were conducted on 50 participants, to assess how hyperlinks influence perception of sentences and the effect on reading behaviour. It showed a stronger and more pronounced number of participants’ ability to give more attention to passages that included hyperlinks.

Part of the problem also lies in our attention spans.

In 2015, Microsoft conducted a study, which Time Magazine discussed and found that the average attention span was a total of eight seconds that an adult can stay on task. That’s one second less than a goldfish.

Simply, shorter attention spans causes shallow information processing which becomes a chemically dependent habit the longer our brains aren’t challenged.

The fix? Reduce distraction and challenge your mind with brain games, puzzles. Ditch the digital text for print which improves your focus and your attention span.

Deep Reading Cognitive Benefits

The global non-profit group Centre for Educational Development’s goes further with insights into deep reading further illuminates the cognitive benefits of this practice, including enhanced critical thinking skills, improved memory retention, and increased empathy.

Engaging deeply with a text allows readers to form connections, infer meanings, and immerse themselves in the narrative or argument, fostering a level of understanding and retention that is difficult to achieve through surface-level reading.

In addition, the practice of deep reading is not just a solitary act of consuming information but a gateway to developing a richer, more nuanced understanding of the world.

A guide, outlined by The Growth Equation, April 2021, shares that developing a habit of deep reading can transform the way we think, learn, and empathize with others.

By dedicating time and attention to engaging with texts on a deeper level, it helps cultivate a mindset that values complexity, nuance, and critical analysis—qualities that are increasingly important in a world where information is infinite and attention is scarce.

However, the decline of deep reading in the digital age is not an inevitable outcome of technological advancement. Rather, it is a reminder of the need to be intentional about how we engage with digital content.

The allure of quick, easy-to-digest information is strong, but it comes at the cost of the deeper understanding and insight that come from engaging with texts in a more meaningful way.

Develop The Habit

To counteract this trend, plenty of strategies and deliberate steps can help to incorporate deep reading into our daily lives, such as setting aside dedicated time for uninterrupted reading, choosing complex and challenging texts, and reflecting on what is read.

Educators and policymakers also play a crucial role in promoting deep reading.

By emphasizing the importance of reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in curricula and encouraging the use of print materials alongside digital resources, they can help foster a culture that values deep engagement with texts.

The shift away from deep reading in the digital age does present significant challenges to our cognitive abilities, empathy, and the way we learn. But, by recognizing the value of deep reading and taking steps to nurture this practice, it can ensure that the benefits of immersive, thoughtful engagement with texts are not lost in the digital shuffle.