murder

i heard a report yesterday of a 14 year old boy who tortured and then murdered his mother. The boy was recreating something he had seen in a movie. I have thought about this boy alot and then about what responsibility the media industry should have, if any. The boy was likely troubled to begin with, but then watching violent media inspired him to act in a way that he may not have on his own. Movies and even TV shows frequently depict gruesome violence, torture and murder as entertainment. And it's not just weirdos who watch this stuff, look at the popularity of the Saw movies. Obviously not everyone who watches these films goes on to commit murder, but I don't think you can say that witnessing acts of extreme brutality has no effect on your thoughts, and thoughts lead to actions.