What does reading on screens do to our brains? | BBC Ideas?

Reading on screens is like having a friend who tells you stories, but sometimes they move around or change their voice.

Your brain works hard when you read, just like when you build with blocks or solve a puzzle. When you read on paper, your brain gets used to the words staying in one place. But when you read on screens, the text can flicker, scroll, or pop up new lines, which makes your brain work differently.

Imagine reading a book while sitting in a car that goes bumpy, it’s harder to focus because the words keep moving around. That's kind of like what happens when you read on screens: your brain has to adjust every time something changes, which can make it feel more tiring.

If someone is telling you a story and keeps stopping to say, "Wait, let me check my phone," you might get confused or forget what was happening. That’s similar to how your brain feels when reading on screens, it has to switch attention more often.

But don’t worry! Your brain is smart enough to learn both ways, just like you can ride a bike and walk at the same time.