system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 How is reading posts/surfing on my cellphone different/better/worse than r adding a book?

Is there a distinct advantage to reading text in a book on a single subject versus reading text on a digital device with multiple subjects?
gpt
Yes.

Short articles - and let's be honest, you're mostly talking about reading memes and Facebook junk - do not stimulate the brain in the same way that reading a lengthy article or book on a single subject does.

Scattering your attention is much less beneficial.  Consider the studies done on young children who watched Spongebob. 

Whether you use a digital or paper source is less important.