No, or I'd have murdered someone long ago.
The thing is that some video games certainly aren't appropriate for children, but that's what the ESRB is for. It's entirely up to the parents to decide what their kids should and shouldn't play. I understand that it's hard for parents to do so. Kids can play games at a friend's house or find a way to sneak it by their parents. The point is to attempt to help children understand why the ratings are there. If a kid wants to play a game, they'll find a way.
Now, to answer the actual question...
No, I don't think that it's the effect of the games that ever causes kids to imitate them. A child has to be taught to understand the difference between the virtual and real worlds. If a child doesn't see that, a parent hasn't done their job. Not just in letting the children play terribly violent games, but in not really paying attention to what their kids do. If the child is no longer a child, but in fact a teenager, then that's a whole different kettle of fish.
If it's a teenager, then they're fucked in the head. Sideways. There is a time at which a critical part of the brain either inflates, or becomes useless, and it is something called, "The Stupid Lobe." Some people are proof enough that it exists, and that is what determines the lengths someone goes to in copying a video game. I'm a cosplayer, so there's at least a little of it in me, but I have zero interest in taking it farther than that. Those who do could be great candidates for human testing.
The thing is that some video games certainly aren't appropriate for children, but that's what the ESRB is for. It's entirely up to the parents to decide what their kids should and shouldn't play. I understand that it's hard for parents to do so. Kids can play games at a friend's house or find a way to sneak it by their parents. The point is to attempt to help children understand why the ratings are there. If a kid wants to play a game, they'll find a way.
Now, to answer the actual question...
No, I don't think that it's the effect of the games that ever causes kids to imitate them. A child has to be taught to understand the difference between the virtual and real worlds. If a child doesn't see that, a parent hasn't done their job. Not just in letting the children play terribly violent games, but in not really paying attention to what their kids do. If the child is no longer a child, but in fact a teenager, then that's a whole different kettle of fish.
If it's a teenager, then they're fucked in the head. Sideways. There is a time at which a critical part of the brain either inflates, or becomes useless, and it is something called, "The Stupid Lobe." Some people are proof enough that it exists, and that is what determines the lengths someone goes to in copying a video game. I'm a cosplayer, so there's at least a little of it in me, but I have zero interest in taking it farther than that. Those who do could be great candidates for human testing.
