Why reading beats chatbots for combating loneliness and boosting brain health

In an age where loneliness is rising and chatbots are increasingly marketed as social companions, a quieter, more powerful tool is being overlooked: reading.

Recent research suggests that curling up with a good book—especially fiction—can do far more than entertain. It can soothe feelings of isolation, improve mental well-being, and even strengthen your brain.

The Loneliness Epidemic

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a growing public health concern. The World Health Organisation estimates that a quarter of older adults regularly experience social isolation. Teenagers are also affected, with 5–15% reporting persistent loneliness.

Even tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg have acknowledged this modern epidemic, noting that many people today have fewer than three close friends. And in response, tech companies have begun pushing AI-driven chatbots as virtual friends.

But is artificial companionship the answer?

The Power of Reading (Yes, Old-School Books)

Reading, particularly fiction, has a remarkable ability to connect us to others—even when we’re physically alone. Whether it’s sharing a laugh with a book club, identifying with a character, or simply escaping into a vivid narrative, reading can create genuine emotional and cognitive engagement.

Studies have shown that:

• Short reading sessions reduce stress by around 20% and boost focus by 11%.

• Nearly 60% of 18–34-year-olds who read during the pandemic said it helped reduce their loneliness.

• 74% of readers surveyed felt that reading had improved their overall mental wellbeing.

Brain Gains: What Reading Does to Your Mind

Reading isn’t just a psychological comfort—it’s a brain workout.

Fiction, especially stories rich in human interaction, activates regions of the brain involved in empathy and social reasoning, such as the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. This strengthens your ability to understand others, process emotions, and connect with different perspectives.

And the benefits extend across the lifespan:

• Older adults who read regularly had a 35% lower risk of developing dementia.

• Children who read more often showed better brain development, academic performance, and mental health, while also spending less time on screens.

   

Beyond the Page: Shared Reading as Social Connection

Reading doesn’t have to be solitary. Shared reading groups, book clubs, and family storytimes can foster deep conversation, empathy, and human connection—something no chatbot can truly replicate.

In community and school settings, programs that promote shared reading have led to noticeable reductions in loneliness and social isolation, especially among younger participants.

Final Thoughts: Choose Books, Not Bots

While AI chatbots can offer surface-level interaction, they lack the emotional depth and cognitive enrichment that come from stories crafted by human minds. Books invite us into worlds we didn’t know existed—and bring us closer to ourselves and to each other.

So next time you're feeling disconnected, skip the chatbot and pick up a book. It might just be the most human thing you can do.

Read more in Professor Barbara Sahakian’s & Dr Christelle Langley’s article in The Conversation here.