Films & TV influencing people to commit crimes etc...

[joko]

There is a well known theory that states that kids watching violence etc on TV encourages them to commit crimes...many kids have even admitted thats why theyve committed the crime...adults also have claimed influence...

however - if this is true and films are so powerful & can change the behaviour of many people...why do we rarely - as a species i mean - take heed, learn from films with a positive message. heatwarming tales or tales warning us of our impending doom if we dont change out ways, of kindness, of simply doing the right and honourable thing etc ?

we watch film atfer film, tearjerkers, stories of triumph over adversity, films about genuine heroes who have risked their life, sacrificed themselves for the greater good etc etc...yet still, the world is full of selfish, nasty, cruel people...megalomaniacs, vanity, theives, muggers, rapists, murderers, and poeople who generally couldnt care less about anyone but themselves and will trample on anyone etc etc

this of course is a lot of generalisations used to make a general point and obviously many people dont fit in with the above - so please dont split hairs with what ive said...i cannot obviously mention every little thing and nuance here...

i just wondered what you all thought of this ?

cheers

[sandyRoe]

It's usually defense lawyers who cite the influence of watching violent films as mitigation for their clients. Most judges have more sense than to listen to such nonsense.

[redcrx]

"many kids have even admitted thats why theyve committed the crime...adults also have claimed influence... "

well of course they do, its a step up from "it wasn't me, Guv, 'onest"

[4getmenot]

I find the tearjerkers and powerful films have more of an effect on me than any violent ones. Pay it forward is one, if everyone just did 3 little favours....

[cupid04]

It's not so much the violent films and video games, it's where there is no parental guidance. The young Bulger boy was tortured and killed after two 10 year olds watched Chucky and other various horrors, and then proceeded to copy what they saw.