According to a new study, there are both benefits and disadvantages of videogames for young children.

The new research shows game play boosts visual and cognitive skills but too much addiction may be lead to behavioural problems. One of the two studies that were published this week showed that videogames not only improves visual skills but also helps in improving learning ability for those skills.

"It may be possible that the vast amount of visual training frequent gamers receive over the years could help contribute to honing consolidation mechanisms in the brain, especially for visually developed skills," the authors wrote.

Aaron Berard, a graduate student and lead author, said that many people see video games as a time-wasting activity but research has shown that there are beneficial aspects to video games. He said that there is a need to demonstrate some cognitive functioning so that new technologies might be accepted.The study was published in PLoS One, a scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science.

Another study by Oxford University researchers said there is both positive and negative impact of video games on young children.