A new reading method called Bionic Reading is taking social media by storm, particularly on ADHD TikTok. The method highlights the most concise parts of words on a webpage by bolding the letters at the beginning of each word. It’s designed to help people read faster and better understand text by guiding the eye through artificial fixation points, allowing the brain to absorb previous words more quickly.
The Bionic Reading app and Google Chrome extension automatically revise texts to highlight the most concise parts of words in a webpage. The letters at the beginning of each word are bolded, creating artificial fixation points that guide the eye as readers move along the page. This allows the brain to complete the word on its own, making reading more efficient. The app can be customized to fit individual needs, including the amount of text that’s bolded and the opacity of the text.
The Bionic Reading method targets people who are neurodivergent, including those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. According to feedback from people with dyslexia, Bionic Reading has improved comprehension on the first-time reading of text. However, some people in the neurodivergent community have found the bolded letters disruptive and not helpful for their reading needs.
Bionic Reading has gained popularity on social media, with TikTokers and Instagrammers posting different takes on the new reading fad, ranging from awe to skepticism. The scientific evidence supporting Bionic Reading’s effectiveness is limited. A small study conducted by the founder showed a positive effect for some, but only with a sample size of 12 people. Educational psychologist Trakhman refuted the claim that Bionic Reading makes reading faster and more comprehensive. A study by Readwise found no evidence that Bionic Reading improved reading speed.
Whether or not to try Bionic Reading depends on personal preference. Since everyone’s brain works differently, more research is needed to determine if Bionic Reading is effective.
Bionic Reading is a new way to read faster and better understand text, particularly for people who are neurodivergent. The method has gained popularity on social media, but the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. While Bionic Reading may work for some people, others may find it disruptive or not helpful for their reading needs. Personal preference should guide the decision to try Bionic Reading. As with any new reading method, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for different types of readers.
