FOR PARENTS · AGES 5–11
Kindle, tablet or paper: what's best for a child's reading?
Paper still has an edge for understanding plain text, so keep paper books in the mix. If you add a screen, a dedicated e-reader has fewer distractions than a tablet.
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Your child wants a Kindle for their birthday, or the old tablet is gathering dust and could become a reading device. Is that a good idea? This guide looks at what the research says about reading on screens, what eye specialists say, and how to set a device up so it helps reading rather than competing with it.
By the Litsee team · Last reviewed · About this guide
The short answer: a device can help, but don't give up paper
A screen can get a reluctant reader reading. The National Literacy Trust's research found that “digital formats can act as a gateway into reading” (National Literacy Trust). But for understanding plain text, paper still has an edge, so the best answer for most families is both: paper books at home and at the library, and a device for journeys, holidays and the child who devours books faster than you can buy them.
What the research says about screens and paper
A 2021 meta-analysis of studies on young children's reading compared the same books on paper and on screen. It found: “The comparison of digital versus paper books that only differed by digitization showed lower comprehension scores for digital books.” It also found that adults matter more than gadgets: “Adults’ mediation during print books’ reading was more effective than the enhancements in digital books read by children independently.” (Furenes, Kucirkova and Bus, 2021).
The UK Chief Medical Officers' advice points the same way: “Watching or using screens together - talking, asking questions and engaging with the content - is better for children’s development than solo screen use.” (UK CMOs). Whatever the device, talking about the book together helps most. Our guide to screen time and reading covers the research in more detail.
E-reader, tablet or paper: the differences
- A dedicated e-reader (a Kindle, for example) is built mainly for reading. Fewer apps means fewer distractions, and the text size can usually be changed for a child who finds small print hard.
- A tablet can do everything, which is its weakness for reading: games, video and messages are always one tap away. It can work well for reading if you set it up for that.
- Paper books need no charging, no settings and no rules, can be lent and swapped, and are free from the library.
- Audiobooks are a different thing again: listening, not decoding. Useful alongside reading, not instead of it.
You don't have to buy ebooks to read on a device. The DfE's tips point out: “Local libraries also offer brilliant online materials, including audiobooks and ebooks to borrow.” (DfE). Borrowing first is a cheap way to find out whether your child actually enjoys reading on a screen before you spend money on a dedicated device.
Before buying, check how children's accounts, spending controls and library borrowing work on the device you're considering. They differ between brands and change over time, so we don't list them here.
Are screens bad for children's eyes?
Parents often ask this. The College of Optometrists' public advice is clear: “There is no evidence that looking at screens will cause your eyes any harm.” It even notes an advantage: “With a screen you can alter the contrast, and you can make the print bigger.” (College of Optometrists).
On short-sightedness (myopia), it says: “It is not clear whether near activities (such as reading or using a screen or mobile device) are associated with myopia development.” What does seem to help is time outside: “Spending time outdoors does appear to help prevent or delay myopia in children at higher risk of developing it.” (College of Optometrists). So the eye-health advice is less about paper versus screen and more about balancing close-up activities, including books, with outdoor play.
Screens at bedtime
Bedtime is where paper wins easily. The NHS advises: “Do not let your child look at laptops, tablets or phones in the 30 to 60 minutes before bed” (NHS). If your child reads on a device in the day, keep a paper book by the bed for the last chapter of the night, and keep chargers out of the bedroom.
Setting up a device for reading: a quick check
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Questions parents ask
Is a Kindle or e-reader good for a child's reading?
It can be. An e-reader built for reading has fewer distractions than a tablet, and text size can be changed. Research suggests children understand plain digital books less well than the same books on paper, so mix the two and talk about what they read.
Is reading on a tablet bad for children's eyes?
The College of Optometrists says there is no evidence that looking at screens harms the eyes. It is not clear whether close-up activities, including reading, affect short-sightedness, but time outdoors does appear to help prevent or delay it in children at higher risk.
Does reading on a Kindle count as screen time?
It uses a screen, but there's no official UK screen-time limit for ages 5 to 11 to count it against. What matters more is what the device is used for, whether it crowds out sleep, play and books, and whether you share it.
Should my child read on a screen before bed?
The NHS advises against laptops, tablets and phones in the 30 to 60 minutes before bed. A paper book is the simplest bedtime choice.
Sources
- A Comparison of Children’s Reading on Paper Versus Screen: A Meta-Analysis (Furenes, Kucirkova and Bus), Review of Educational Research 91(4) American Educational Research Association, 8 March 2021, checked 3 November 2026
- Trends in children and young people’s reading in print and digital formats National Literacy Trust, March 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Screen use and eyes The College of Optometrists (Look After Your Eyes), last updated February 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Myopia management: eye care for children who are short-sighted The College of Optometrists (Look After Your Eyes), 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Sleep and young children NHS, reviewed 31 March 2023, checked 3 November 2026
- 10 top tips for parents to support children to read Department for Education, 16 July 2020, updated 25 April 2022, checked 3 November 2026
- UK CMO commentary on screen time and social media map of reviews Department of Health and Social Care, 7 February 2019, checked 3 November 2026
About this guide
Written by the Litsee team and checked line by line against the sources listed on this page.
We don't sell or recommend specific devices, and there are no affiliate links on this page. Brand names are used only to describe kinds of product. Litsee is itself an app, so we've tried to be fair to paper.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email info@litsee.com and we will fix it. Last reviewed: .
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