The articles I saw simply mentioned that they had a dispute over something said in an IM, rather than 'blaming the internet'. Anything suggesting that line of reasoning is probably just another example of sensationalist garbage masquerading as "news" that we're subjected to on a daily basis. I prefer the balanced journalism which looks at the disturbing increase in violent crime in Japan, especially amongst the young. There's got to be some reason why such a peaceful society is facing increasing levels of brutality by its young. Of course, each individual is responsible for their own actions, but the trend as a whole must've been prompted by something.

Of course, if children didn't have ready access to concealable knives, they find it that much harder to cut each others' throats too, imhyho.

But then, you can't blame a society that's long been so inherently peaceful that such restrictions just weren't needed.[qq=gokufusionss1]this isn't as funny as the...[/qq]I really hope you're not suggesting it's "funny" that a twelve-year-old girl was murdered by having her throat cut.