University of Latvia to study how digital devices affect reading and comprehension
Researchers at the University of Latvia have launched a three-year study on how digital devices affect reading habits and text comprehension. The findings will be used to develop recommendations for presenting information on digital platforms.
Researchers from the Faculty of Exact Sciences and Technology and the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia have begun a project to examine how digital devices influence reading habits and text comprehension. The study is funded by the Latvian Science Council and started in January, with a planned duration of three years.
Scientists will analyze how the use of computers and smartphones affects attention, reading strategies, and the ability to process complex written information. International research indicates that although the average time spent reading has not changed, people increasingly struggle to maintain focus and understand longer, more demanding texts.
Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that more than a third of Latvian adults have difficulty understanding complex written information. In addition, texts on screens are becoming shorter, more fragmented, and more often supplemented with images and other multimedia elements.
The study combines methods from linguistics, cognitive science, and vision research, including eye-tracking, to objectively assess the reading process in digital environments. Researchers hope to identify the factors that most influence how people perceive information and how effectively they read.
The results are expected to be used to develop practical recommendations for more effective information delivery on digital platforms. The project also aims to improve the public's ability to critically evaluate information and reduce the risks of manipulation.
