The Grigri's primary advantage lies in its ability to catch a falling climber more effectively than the ATC. It reduces the risk of belayer error, making it a reliable choice for climbers of varying experience levels.

noun. gri·​gri. less common spelling of gris-gris. : a talisman, amulet, voodoo charm, spell, or incantation believed capable of warding off evil and bringing good luck to oneself or of bringing misfortune to another.

The short answer is yes it is provided you know how to operate the Grigri safely. Whenever you pull the release lever your right hand must be gripping the rope below the device. If you let go of the rope with your right hand while pulling the release lever you will meet the ground very quickly.

Daughter is using a Grigri as a self-belay device. This is expressly discouraged by Petzl, the manufacturer, on this page titled Self Belaying is Prohibited. That's pretty damning. As the page admits, some people do use a Grigri for self-belays, but it's not ideal and potentially dangerous.