Classic fairy tales may shield people from the negative impact of internet browsing, new study finds. Credit: JMIR Publications
Reading a Grimm fairy tale like “Hansel and Gretel” or “Little Red Riding Hood” may mitigate the negative effects of browsing the internet by creating resilience and brightening one’s outlook on life, according to a new study published in JMIR Formative Research.
In the study, titled “Mitigating the Negative Effects of Internet Browsing on Young People’s Resilience and Outlook on Life Through Classic Grimm Fairy Tales: Exploratory Randomized Controlled Study,” researchers examined how internet browsing affects resilience and optimism in postgraduate students. They further explored whether classic fairy tales could act as a protective buffer against any harmful effects.
Those who read a Grimm fairy tale after browsing the internet reported significantly higher resilience and a more positive outlook on life compared to those who didn’t read a Grimm fairy tale.
In today’s world, most people spend a lot of time online. While the internet offers many benefits, its impact on mental well-being and emotional resilience isn’t fully understood. This research suggests that the simple act of reading a classic fairy tale could be an accessible tool to counterbalance the draining effects of online browsing.
“In a digital age saturated with fleeting content and instant gratification, the current study findings show that the enduring power of Grimm fairy tales may help offer a crucial antidote to the erosion of resilience and optimism caused by excessive internet browsing,” says author Andreas B Eisingerich.
The authors note that although further research is needed to confirm these effects in different groups and over longer periods, these findings highlight a practical approach to boosting mental well-being: turning to timeless stories that have comforted generations.
More information:
Congcong Hou et al, Mitigating the Negative Effects of Internet Browsing on Young People’s Resilience and Outlook on Life Through Classic Grimms’ Fairy Tales: Exploratory Randomized Controlled Study, JMIR Formative Research (2025). DOI: 10.2196/76770
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Grimm classics may counter negative effects of internet browsing (2025, August 19)
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