it is something that happens because video games are a relatively modern entertainment medium
I think it also comes down to the fact that are interactive and in a sense "you" are the one committing the actions on the screen. It's easier to distance the viewer from a movie than the player from the game. Still I think it's bullshit that video games has gotten the treatment it has through the last few decades.
Undoubtedly, and it is true what you say, it is an interactive medium and where the consumer does participate, so that could have weight, but even so it does not make much sense if you compare the number of people who play video games with the people who have those behaviors for video games, there is simply no comparison, if there were then we would all be imitating what we do in GTA.