Videogames can let kids practice being bad

BAD ROLE-PLAYING: Teenagers who play risk-glorifying videogames rated for mature audiences are more likely to act aggressively, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and have unprotected sex, a new study suggests. — Reuters

NEW YORK: Teenagers who play risk-glorifying videogames rated for mature audiences are more likely to act aggressively, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and have unprotected sex, a new study suggests. 

Character-based videogames let people practice being someone else, and practicing at being a character who’s an antisocial deviant may have broad behavioural consequences for kids, the researchers conclude.