You know, I really DON'T see any real connection between violent video games and real life.
First, and foremost, MOST GAMES ARE LIMITED TO A 17X17 INCH SCREEN. Only a tiny box contains most of the violence I see in my lifetime (besides movies) A kid's mind works differently if a game is on a computer screen that if it's on a GIANT SCREEN TV. A kid's objective is not to hurt; it's to WIN at any cost. Any kid who's sat down and honestly talked to will say this. However, taking the giant screen TV idea to the extreme, let's think about what would happen if a kid playes GTA on a Virtual Reality machine. In a regular computer, the kid usually chooses an "avatar" that the player represents. (Even if it's not chosen, there usually is one) In a VR, the player is personally responsible for the death, the carnage, the blood. Now, I'm not opposed to VR machines, as long as they steer clear of M rated games. A VR machine puts the user directly "in" the games, and the brain works differently. If the player was responsible in GTA for all the damage done, it's a frighteningly small step from that to ACTUALLY COMMITTING THE CRIMES.
Second, GAMES TEND TO BE UNREAL, TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ACTUALLY DO. Take the Star Wars games, for example. They are so unreal, I don't think that messes with someone (Though the VR could change that.) I mean, does anyone who gets pissed off at a person take out a lightsaber and cut off their heads?!? Half the nation would be dead, and another quarter would be put to death for murder! I don't believe that games can affect people that way.
The only cause for alarm is if the kid tries to mimic what's in a violent game in real life. I'm not talking about taking sticks and playing Star Wars, King Arthur, etc. I mean TRYING TO HURT OTHERS. That is the danger.
In short, violent games are acceptable, but there is a line which game designers should NOT DARE TO CROSS.
