Advantage

Among the advantages for the people who use them we can find:

1- Training and improvement of physical and mental abilities

It has been proven in some studies that if we play video games daily, we can improve
our visual attention, be more efficient in changing tasks, be faster in tasks where we
have to perform a visual search or discriminate objects by their shape / color.

Also among other benefits, it contributes more effectiveness in the follow-up of multiple
objectives (Green and Bavelier, 2003).

Other researchers have conducted training studies corroborating that the practice of
video games also improves the execution of divided tasks and mental rotation (De lisi
and Wolford, 2003 quoted in Salguero, 2009).

2- It has therapeutic uses

Video games can be used in people who have both physical and mental problems. As
for example in people who present problems of mobility in the arms, or that they find it
difficult to be related; as is the case of people with autism .

It has also been used in a rehabilitative way in people who present problems of care ,
among others.

3- Use as didactic means

Video games can be a means of learning for people who use it because it is a different
context and more playful. They are therefore a good means of motivation for children
and young people , as well as for children who have learning difficulties or are even at
risk.

Thanks to this means students can be motivated to learn by creating fun feelings
(Salguero, 2009).

4. Fosters positive values

The games of consoles and computers also promote values such as solidarity,
friendship, cohesion and a sense of belonging to a group. It is important for parents to
take advantage of these benefits to improve family relationships (Reyes-Hernández et
al. 2012, Reyes-Hernandez, 2014).

5- Use as leisure and entertainment

We need to get distracted so we do not feel stressed in our day to day or just to fight the
daily boredom. For this reason, video games are a great means of entertainment
because of the large number of realities they present (González, 2010 in Reyes-
Hernández et al., 2014).
6- Develop empathy
Since there are a multitude of group games, players have to make decisions and know
that they can have consequences, both positive and negative, on the other players in
the game. Therefore, it is a means that facilitates the development of empathy (Levine,
2009 Reyes-Hernández et al., 2014).

7- Increase the sense of competence and self-esteem

The use of video games also creates feelings of self-esteem and competition in players
game after game. As you overcome the different challenges and levels, you feel better
about yourself and able to meet the following objectives.

8- Encourage teamwork
In team games, players will also develop group work skills as they sometimes have to
be united to overcome some challenge.

In addition, it also allows them to develop other abilities such as quick thinking to act
satisfactorily in the face of problems presented to them or even work under pressure to
avoid losing the game.

Disadvantages of using video games

In addition to the aforementioned advantages, we also find possible disadvantages and
negative effects on people who use it:

9- They can create addiction

It is common to hear that there are people who are addicted to video games , however,
and despite the studies that have been done about it, to this day cannot prove that
playing with video games can create addiction.

Salguero (2009) talks about that some people at a given moment, acquire a
pathological fixation by an object or activity. Even so, we have to analyze the person
and ask ourselves why he has reached that point.

In addition, we also have to point out that there are activities that are tremendously
entertaining and absorbing, so you can spend more time than usual.

10- It increases the aggressiveness of the player and they are violent
Some games are very aggressive and violent. Sometimes, this content is not only
limited to physical aggression but also enters ideologies. There is a wide range of
research in this regard in which a clear conclusion is not reached as to whether video
games create or increase aggressiveness in their players.

Some argue that its effect is short-term (Barlett, Branch, Rodeheffer and Harris, 2009),
while others argue that it has a long-term effect on players (Anderson et al., 2008).
11- It has negative effects on socialization
The child who has fun with games that are violent can lead to negative effects in their
socialization with other equals, leading to their lack of sense of belonging or social
justice (Reyes-Hernández, 2006 in Reyes-Hernández, 2014).

We also know that video games cannot be discussed, which increases the use of
violence as a solution.

12- They present a disproportionate image of the woman’s body

In many games, sex and sensuality is an important part of the plot or story. It is usually
presented to the woman as a sexual object and with bodies disproportionate to the real
ones.

This image can make it assimilate in the players that the body of a woman should be
that and not another (Abanes, 2008 in Reyes-Hernandez, 2014).

13- It can affect the life of the players

If you do not have control of its use, it can affect our life in a negative way; thus affecting
our school performance, the family and our day to day life in general.