BOOKS vs E-READERS? PRINT vs DIGITAL?

Since the invention of the printing press almost 600 years ago, the production of books has exploded globally, expanding our worlds with the spreading of storytelling and knowledge. The thirst for knowledge and information has continued over the centuries, but in today’s increasingly digital world, interaction with printed media is becoming less and less common as more and more people are spending their time looking at screens rather than the printed page. Which is better for our eyes, our health and our planet?

LCD VS. E-INK SCREENS

There are a number of fundamental differences between the screens of e-readers, which use e-Ink, and those of computers, smartphones and iPads, which use an LCD display.

LCD screens can display text, pictures and videos in full colour, and because they are backlit are easy to read in the dark or in low light.

E-Ink screens, on the other hand, are black and white, are unable to display videos and can only be read in good lighting, including outdoors where it is often difficult to read on an LCD screen. Because e-Ink is designed to mimic a printed page, it is easier on the eyes and minimises eyestrain.

Reading in print or on screens not only causes our eyes to work in different ways, but we process what we are reading differently. Computer screens, smartphones, and tablets use pixels which display text and images differently than e-readers and print. They make our eyes work harder and glare on an LCD screen can tire the eyes more quickly than on the printed page.

WHICH IS BETTER FOR OUR EYES?

Much of what we read on screens is text messages and social media posts, which studies have found has reduced our attention span as we tend to skim the words. Reading on screens, we read faster than on paper and may not absorb the content as well as on paper. Scrolling down a page takes more visual and mental effort than reading a page that is not moving. It can be disruptive and interfere with the continuity of the text as we try to focus on the words. The text in books fosters longer periods of concentration, better comprehension of what is being read and longer retention of the material.

To minimise computer vision syndrome, traditional paper books may be the better option, provided we are not reading in low light which may cause eye fatigue and discomfort. When it comes to screen choice, e-readers which look like the printed page, cause less eye strain.

Many digital devices have back-lighting which allows for higher contrast even in dimly lit environments. While some people may see this as an advantage, it actually has the opposite effect because it creates glare and contrast issues. With printed books and e-books, on the other hand, we need to consider the lighting conditions of the place in which we read. As well as making it more difficult for the eyes to focus, when reading in poor light we tend to blink less frequently leading to dry uncomfortable eyes.

A significant advantage of e-readers is their ability to adjust font size, whereas paper books have a fixed font size. Some people may find it difficult having to zoom in and out to adjust the font, but people who have vision problems or reading disabilities depend on this adjustment to allow them to read.

WHICH IS BETTER FOR OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH?

Reading is a good habit but the way we read has an impact on our physical and mental health. According to some researchers, reading a book helps us to destress, while reading on a digital device with an LCD display was reported to impact stress levels negatively and was linked to higher levels of stress and fatigue.

Living in the digital world, it has become more and more important for our physical and mental health to disconnect from technology for a while. For many people, reading a paper book is a mindful way of escaping electronic devices.

Digital eye strain after prolonged exposure to a digital screen is associated with the distance at which we view digital screens, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets and cell phones. Prolonged use of technology, particularly late at night, is thought to disrupt our sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.

While reading on a computer may tire the eyes out more quickly, reading for prolonged periods of time is a primary cause of eye strain, whether that be on paper or a screen.

WHICH IS BETTER FOR THE PLANET?

Environmentalists are asking how reading is impacting the planet and the climate. Should we be switching from paper books to e-readers? Would that translate to increasing environmental and climate benefits? After ongoing research and debate, it sems that both have their pros and cons.

Despite the rise in digital reading, paper books remain popular, but it has taken millions of trees to produce those books, trees from forests that support wildlife, produce clean air and help store carbon. Paper is a renewable resource, but billions of hard copy books produce a high carbon footprint.

A number of publishers have begun using sustainable paper, and paper manufacture innovations have decreased the carbon footprint of hard copy books, but the climate impact is still significant. An advantage of paper books is that they do not require electricity or access to the internet.

An important environmental benefit of an electronic reading device that can hold thousands of books is that, using no paper, forests are saved and the industrial energy consumption to produce paper is eliminated. However, as with books, the production of electronic devices and materials used is responsible for a significant climate impact.

Books can last decades, be shared by multiple people and are easier to discard or recycle at the end of their lives, while electronic devices create toxic e-waste after a relatively short life of just a few years. Over recent years, some companies have introduced recycling programmes to reduce electronic waste.

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?

After many studies have been conducted and many different opinions have been exchanged, it seems that there is no definitive answer in favour of traditional books or e-books. The right choice is whatever works best for each individual.