Well, if we consider there is no difference between those three things, and don't teach the semantics of these graphic images and videos, kids can grow up being very confused about the fictional and the non-fictional.
Their ethics can be screwed up.
And that can lead to things like:
- Recently in the news (and here in OT): Australian kid feeds reptiles to crocodile.
- Few years ago in the UK: 2 kids torture and beat up toddler to death.
The references I gave are true accounts. Granted one is a movie, but I've heard they shot into cadavers to make sure the effects were accurate.
Also according to several WW II vets that I've talked to they said the only thing missing from Saving Private Ryan was the tanks running over people. It was based on true events, so I'd hardly call it a work of fiction. From my own accounts of seeing people blown up and shot durring the Gulf War, I thought it was a very accurate portrayal. Though you are correct, kids do need to know the difference from fact and fiction when it comes to these matters.
People see murder on the TV all the time. Yeah 99% of it is ficticious but that still does help to desensitise and also dehumanize people. Studies have also shown that playing violent video games also increase violent behavior. Thats where the parents have to step in and talk to them about all this stuff or even prohibit them from viewing shows and playing games of this nature until the child is mature enough to comprehend it. Then again, the parents can talk to their children until they are blue in the face and take every preventative measure possible, and the kid may still wind up murdering someone.
We as a society usually codemn violent acts, yet we are inclined to watch them on the tv and the media is always airing violent material in the news, shows, movies, etc. It sends out mixed signals and can be quite confusing. Rhetorical question, If we all condemn it so much then how come it is always being shown in the media?
I also believe that if someone tortured and murdered a toddler they have underlying psychological issues that led to this behavior not just ethical issues. I cannot speak accurately about the kid that fed reptiles to a croc. I've owned snakes and various other animals that are carnivorus and fed them mice, small reptiles, rabbits, brids, etc. So to some extent, if it was something the croc would naturally eat in the wild, I am
somewhat OK with that.
