Reading changes our brains. Beyond allowing humans to gather and synthesize new information, research shows it is key to cultivating empathy in individuals, too. One study finds this to be particularly true for fictional stories, which allow readers to imagine themselves as other people, in other worlds, with different ideas and challenges.

The effects of reading on the brain are also strongly influenced by the medium through which we read. For a long time, that has been print. And so as digital screens begin to take the place of print books in many classrooms and households, researchers are now looking at how that impacts our ability to process information—and empathize with others.

Source: Reading Fuels Empathy. Do Screens Threaten That? | EdSurge News