srsly plz someone kill Dr. Phil

[A Black Falcon]

The more likely conclusion is that the reason people who committed mass-murders also played videogames is because they ENJOY VIOLENCE. The violence in the games didn't somehow turn them from pure, innocent, church-going, upstanding members of society into slobbering, braindead violence-mongers bent on killing and maiming. It's more likely that they had violent tendencies to begin with and sought out violent media to fulfill their lusts. In the end, games and movies weren't enough for them and they took the next step [i.e. actually go out and kill people].

That's my thought on it anyway.

The problem is that no two people are the same. What is appropriate for some children (because they can understand the difference between the portrayed fantasy and reality) isn't okay for others... the numbers on the box are a guideline made as the best general guess. They are reliant on people actually caring and following through on it and paying attention to what their children are playing... but really, games won't make you violent. Will they send the wrong messages to some children who do not yet understand which parts are real and which aren't, or who are predisposed towards violence? Perhaps, and that's what parents and age ratings are for. Not governmental bans.