This is a timely and worthy discussion that needs some thorough thinking....one starting point, the aggrandizing of violence, cruel violence is prevalent on television making many immune to violence and gore....that and poorly educated parents or parent trying to raise their child...in front of television because they haven’t the time to spend with their child. That is one of the problems IMHO.....
I think you have hit one important nail on the head. I was recently visiting a friend’s house and an 8 year old was playing one of those violent video games. I think these games make us numb to the value of life.