Researchers at the UW released a study Monday reporting that 40 percent of 3-month-old babies regularly watch television. The figure for two-year-olds is more than twice as high at 90 percent.

These statistics may seem appalling, as they should.

The problem, say the researchers, is that parents are viewing so-called "educational" programming as a substitute for active learning.

There is no sound evidence to support television as an educational tool for babies, and there is even some evidence that television before the age of three may lead to behavioral and cognitive problems later on.

The new study comes in the face of a new movement in educational television programming targeted at babies.

Last year saw the launch of the first network devoted entirely to programming for babies, BabyFirstTV, which some now say has been falsely touted as a legitimate educational tool.

We must agree with the skeptics. If scientific evidence does not support the notion of educational TV for babies, TV producers have no place claiming their programs are educational.

Ultimately, however, the responsibility of early education falls primarily on the shoulders of parents. As with selecting a childcare provider, parents must select educational materials for their children that will best foster development.

Concerned local and state agencies are also obligated to ensure that education keeps its integrity. If tomorrow's students, researchers and leaders are being brought up on baby TV now, science and interpersonal communication could get shaky pretty fast.