With the increasing prevalence of digital devices and technology in the digital era, handwriting gradually plays a less important role, especially with the widespread use of keyboards on computers, tablets, and smartphones. This phenomenon, reflecting the significant impact of technological advancement, has piqued the interest of various researchers around the world. Their findings, however, reveal an important benefit that many institutions and individuals overlook when they fully shift to typing and abandon traditional handwriting.

First, research suggests that handwriting enhances comprehension and memory retention. According to a journal article by Marano et al. (2025), which compiled research from various scholars, handwriting is “a highly complex task that engages different motor and cognitive processes compared to typing.” Unlike typing, which often involves repetitive keystrokes that may foster more passive engagement with the material as well as less integration between motor and cognitive processes, handwriting requires the coordination of fine motor skills, visual processing, and cognitive functions related to memory and learning. This coordination, which requires significant cognitive effort, results in deeper engagement with the material and increases memory retention. Similarly, a study conducted by Van der Weel and Van der Meer (2024) highlights the importance of handwriting in memory formation and the encoding of new information, both of which are crucial to the learning process.

Next, in terms of creative thinking, handwriting offers a significant advantage over typing. This is because handwriting engages more areas of the brain associated with creativity and critical thinking (Marano et al. 2025). Although typing may facilitate faster generation of ideas, it can lead to less reflective thought processes. In contrast, the slower pace of handwriting fosters deep thought and creativity, as the brain has more time to process ideas. Thus, relying solely on typing may result in a less creative process compared to handwriting.

Last but not least, Lyu (2023) highlights the importance of handwriting, particularly for children’s brain development and motor skills. The findings suggest that, compared to children who are proficient in handwriting, those who struggle with it are less efficient in activating certain brain regions. In addition, handwriting practice at an early age can help identify children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Adapting to technologies such as the use of keyboards in the digital era is inevitable. However, preserving handwriting remains crucial, especially in educational settings. Thus, awareness of the need to balance both should be promoted. In this case, digital handwriting on touchscreens may serve as an alternative, as it offers the benefits of traditional handwriting alongside modern convenience.

References

Lyu, Yue. “Children in Primary and Secondary Education Should Continue to Be Taught Handwriting in the Digital Age.” World Journal of Educational Research 10 (June 2023): p132. https://doi.org/10.22158/wjer.v10n3p132.

Marano, Giuseppe, Georgios Kotzalidis, Francesco Lisci, et al. “The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing—Who Wins the Battle?” Life 15 (February 2025): 345. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030345.

Weel, Frederikus van der, and Audrey van der Meer. “Handwriting but Not Typewriting Leads to Widespread Brain Connectivity: A High-Density EEG Study with Implications for the Classroom.” Frontiers in Psychology 14 (January 2024): 1219945. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219945.

Journalist: Elisaka Bich Esterika

Editor: Aisyah Rahmania Novrianti