The Anton-Effect

When a low IQ child ranging from 12-16 comes across alex they fall for his facade as a really smart and nice person, even though in reality hes got the intelligence of a wet sack of pennies.
The Anton-Effect combined with a lack of attention from the parents of the child usually results in alex using the children as talking fleshlights.
Some lucky souls break out of their condition and gain consciousness, thus being healed from their ailment.
It is important to keep in mind not every child is at risk of the Anton-Effect, if the child even has a semblence of self worth and self awareness they usually steer clear and remain normal happy and healthy children.

"Aw dude look this little girl used to be normal now she changed her username to "X the blooming rose", another victim of the Anton-Effect"