Long-term effects of the use of videogames

Abstract

The increasing use of computer games by children and youths has led to a corresponding concern of researchers and the public in general for their effects on the development and behaviour of these users. Although preliminary studies have not supported hypotheses about the negative effects or addictive profiles related to playing computer games, it has not been possible to carry out research into the long- term effects of continued practice of this activity. The present article describes a study with 321 subjects aged 13 to 33 with a long history of playing with videogames, comparing them to a control group on personality traits, everyday behaviour and cognitive variables.