As the age of the Internet evolves, and we evolve with it, we can notice some of the ways in which our cognition has progressed over time. Reading, as it turns out, is a noticeable factor that is changing with the use of digital technology. 

Most tend to assume that reading is reading – whether it be online or in print. However, there are some very key differences in these two forms that influence us in psychological ways. Research has shown that younger generations now lack a certain level of precision in reading comprehension (Konnikova, 2014).

When we look deeper, almost everything about online reading encourages browsing for keywords, skimming, and selectively scanning the text. The Internet is riddled with distractions in every corner. There are pop-up ads, suggested articles or videos on the sides of our screens, old tabs left open, etc. When we read in this environment, our brains are forced to filter out all the nonsense in order to comprehend the text. Naturally, this is much more taxing on the brain, causing fatigue that would perhaps be avoided if reading from a book. (Konnikova, 2014).

There are new strategies that online newspapers, magazines, and blogs are using to keep our attention. Sue Dunlevie outlines 16 rules of blog and writing layout, where she explains what formatting tools we should use to retain the attention of an online audience. 

Some of these rules include using:

• Narrow columns
• A readable font
• A simple background with high contrast from the text
• Headers and sub headers
• Lists

One study even found that implementing concise and scannable text at the same time resulted in “124% better usability” (Neilsen, 1997). 

Despite these new tactics for retaining attention, there is a notable lack of deep reading, which is a rich, mindful practice that involves an intense level of focus. Deep reading allows our brains to draw new, creative conclusions while absorbing the complete message of the text. As digital technologies continue to take over, this skill has become less apparent. 

The environment of reading online has trained us to avoid this deep level of thought. On top of this, our access to Google has caused our brains to expect immediate access to information the moment we want it. 

“Never has a communications system played so many roles in our lives—or exerted such broad influence over our thoughts—as the Internet does today.”

Carr, 2022

The good news is that hope is not lost for humans to gain back this ability. Unlike speech, reading is not natural to the human condition. It is something we have learned to understand over time (Carr, 2022). Our brains are malleable to our environment. We have the ability to train our minds to foster a new level of focus that we are not accustomed to – much like training a muscle.

References

Carr, N. (2022, February 11). Is google making us stupid? The Atlantic. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/

Dunlevie, S. (2020, April 7). 16 rules of blog writing and layout. which ones are you breaking? 16 Rules of Blog Writing and Layout. Which Ones Are You Breaking? | Just Read. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://justread.link/g43RhVlI7

Konnikova, M. (2014, July 16). Being a better online reader. The New Yorker. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/being-a-better-online-reader

Neilsen, J. (1997, September 30). How users read on the web. Nielsen Norman Group. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-users-read-on-the-web/