In a commentary focused on this study, Dr. Jane Healy looks to the growing field of neuroscience for greater understanding. "Neuroscience increasingly confirms the power of environmental experiences in shaping the developing brain because of the plasticity of its neuronal connectivity. Thus, repeated exposure to any stimulus in a child's environment may forcibly impact mental and emotional growth by either setting up particular circuitry ("habits of mind") or depriving the brain of other experiences." In other words, the surrounding environment can impact the actual structures of the human brain. Because young children's brains are developing so rapidly, they are especially sensitive to what's happening around them.

Another part of the TV problem has a lot to do with Healy's notion of "depriving the brain of the other experiences." In a study that tested the effectiveness of so called "Baby DVDs" like "Baby Einstein" and "Brainy Baby," researchers found time spent watching these programs could actually slow down the language development of babies. The study suggests that this is primarily because babies spend so little time awake. If babies pass this precious time watching TV instead of interacting with their parents, then they will miss out on crucial developmental experiences.

A study conducted by the New York University Medical Center concludes that part of the problem with watching television at a young age may be the lack of verbal interaction babies have with their mothers during TV time. The study points out that this parent-child interaction is an imperative part of a child's development and this interaction was often absent when the TV was on. In these studies as well as a number of others, the problem is not attributed to television viewing itself, but to the reality that television viewing takes the place of activities so vital to the development of young minds.