THE POTENTIAL OF DIGITAL LITERATURE FOR READER DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

With the advancement of digital and virtual technologies, digital literature manifests itself in reading practices as a cultural element shaped by new literary text formats. In this context, this article aims to reflect theoretically on the potential of digital literature regarding reader development. Methodologically, we adopted a qualitative, bibliographical approach grounded in the work of Candido (2011), Frederico (2024a, 2024b), Hayles (2009), Santos and Pontes (2021), and other theorists discussing digital literature. To this end, we conducted a theoretical analysis and discussion of the digital work The Boys' Dream, developed by the research group Literature and Artifact Design for Children and Young People in the Digital World at UFSC. In summary, we find that digital literature enables a new communicative interaction between reader and text, transforming traditional reading practices and expanding the reader's aesthetic experiences.