Research shows that when we read on screens, our brains tend to go into "scan and skim" mode. We’re looking for keywords, headlines, and the "exit" button. This is fine for checking an email, but it’s terrible for reading comprehension, which requires "deep reading"—the ability to infer meaning, understand character motivation, and follow complex plots.

The trick is to find digital experiences that force deep reading. We want to move them away from the "scroll-hole" and toward content that requires them to slow down.

Ask our chatbot about the difference between passive and active screen time

If you have a kid who treats a physical book like it’s a chore but will spend forty hours trying to beat a boss in a game, use that. Narrative-driven games are essentially interactive books. To succeed, the player has to read dialogue, understand instructions, and keep track of a complex story.

This game is a masterclass in functional literacy. There is no voice acting for the majority of the side quests. If you want to build a hovercraft or find a hidden shrine, you have to read the dialogue from the NPCs (non-player characters). It’s "reading with a purpose," which is one of the strongest ways to build comprehension.

For younger kids (ages 6-9), this is basically a reading simulator. Every interaction with a villager, every museum entry about a bug, and every mail message requires reading. Because the stakes are low and the vibe is "cozy," kids don't feel the pressure of a "reading level," but they’re doing the work anyway.

This game is a powerhouse for reading comprehension. You have to manage a farm, but more importantly, you have to manage relationships. Understanding the nuances of what the characters say—and what they mean—is the core of the game.

I’m going to be blunt here: the iPad is a distraction machine. Even with "Focus Mode" on, your kid knows Roblox is just two taps away.

If you want to boost comprehension, get a dedicated e-reader like a Kindle Paperwhite.

Learn more about setting up a kid-safe Kindle profile

Not all "educational" apps are created equal. Some are just "chocolate-covered broccoli"—boring worksheets disguised as bad games. Here are the ones that actually work.

Think of this as the "Netflix of books." It’s a massive digital library. The "Read-to-Me" feature is excellent for kids who are struggling with decoding but have high listening comprehension. It highlights the words as they are read, helping bridge the gap between sound and sight.

This is a fantastic resource where famous actors read children's books aloud. It’s not just "watching TV." It’s modeled fluent reading. When kids hear the cadence and expression of a professional reader, it helps them understand how to interpret tone and emotion in text.

For kids who prefer non-fiction (the "fact-checkers"), this site is gold. The articles are broken down into digestible chunks with high-quality visuals, which helps with "informational text comprehension"—a specific skill required for school success that often gets ignored in favor of fiction.

This is the easiest parenting win in the history of digital wellness. Turn on the subtitles for everything.

Whether they are watching Bluey, The Wild Robot movie, or even a MrBeast video, turn those captions on. It creates an environment of "passive literacy." Their eyes will naturally track the text while they listen to the audio. It’s a proven way to improve word recognition and reading speed without the kid even realizing they’re "studying."

Check out our guide on why subtitles are a literacy superpower

Focus on phonics and fluency. Use apps like Khan Academy Kids or Starfall. At this age, screen time should be highly interactive and supervised. You want to be there to ask, "What do you think will happen next?"

This is where the "Shift from Learning to Read to Reading to Learn" happens. Introduce narrative games like Minecraft (reading the crafting recipes and chat) and transition them to a dedicated e-reader.

Comprehension here is about critical thinking. Encourage them to listen to complex storytelling podcasts like Mars Patel. This builds "auditory comprehension," which translates directly to their ability to follow complex narratives in high school English classes.

Let’s be real: most of what’s on YouTube Kids is garbage. It’s high-energy, fast-cut, and designed to keep them clicking, not thinking. This kind of content actually hurts reading comprehension because it trains the brain to expect a hit of dopamine every three seconds.

If a show or game feels like "junk food"—meaning your kid is zoned out, glassy-eyed, and irritable when they turn it off—it’s not supporting their literacy. High-quality media (like a Studio Ghibli movie or a deep-dive podcast) requires sustained attention. That’s the muscle we’re trying to build.

Instead of saying, "Stop playing that game and go read," try these prompts:

By engaging with their digital world as a story, you’re teaching them that reading isn't just something that happens on paper—it's a way to unlock more fun.

Digital screen time isn't a zero-sum game with reading. We don't have to choose one or the other. By curating a digital environment that includes narrative games, dedicated e-readers, and literacy-focused websites, we’re giving them the tools to be strong readers in the 21st century.

Stop worrying about the "screen" part and start looking at the "content" part. If they're reading, they're winning—even if it's on a Nintendo Switch.

Ask Screenwise for a personalized reading-support plan for your child's age