The Paper Advantage: Why Reading Print Is Better for Your Brain

Neuroscience shows that how we read—not just what we read—may fundamentally alter our cognitive abilities.
The Paper Advantage: Why Reading Print Is Better for Your Brain
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Your brain on screens is not the same as your brain on books. Neuroscience now shows that when we swap pages for pixels, it’s not just a convenient change of format—we are also altering how our brains process and retain information, with significant implications for readers of all ages.

Children with just one book at home are nearly twice as likely to meet literacy and numeracy standards as those without, regardless of income, education, or geography. Beyond developing basic literacy, physical books foster crucial parent–child interactions that build social-emotional and cognitive skills.
Eric Kube
Eric Kube
Author
Eric Kube holds a bachelor’s in neuroscience and a master’s in humanities with a focus on classics and philosophy. He works as a researcher at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and public health, and has held previous research positions at the University of Texas, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Takiwasi Center.