If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. "Everyone else was doing it" is not, imo, a valid excuse when you get caught.
It most certainly isn't a valid excuse. It may, however, be a real reason (amongst many things) for the behaviour of some.
Putting forward reasons for why people may do things, for why situations may arise, for why conditions may be ripe for certain behaviours to take hold are not excusing them and looking for those reasons should not be confused with and misrepresented as looking for excuses.
Well done that man, you've encapsulated a thought no politician or opinionated face on tv or radio is capable of, the fine difference between giving the reason and offering an excuse.