Since the 70’s thousands of children, young people and adults play computer or videogame games. This study aimed to identify the effects of this technological device on cognition, its applicability and influence on player behavior and health and to establish some guidelines for parents and professionals of health that work with children and adolescents. In the first part we presented some positive and negative effects of the games. In the second part it is proposed a set of orientations in order to keep safety and the final considerations are in the last part. We conclude that videogame is an effective tool for cognitive and perceptive skills optimizing. The educational games are identified as a beneficial experience for its users and negative repercussions are found in those with violence content.
Video game; health; adolescents