I never have any problem with any study good or bad. Peer review and follow up studies will tend to discount the absurd over time. The problem I have is that a study will spin off a frenzy of popular sciences articles that site a single possibly good possibly bad study as gospel.
The question being asked is a good one that deserves a good answer.
I agree with a few others here that have alluded to alternative hypothesis's. If the correlation is true it still does not prove causality. Is it the early reading, the desk time and lack of play time, the letdown later when they are no longer allowed to move ahead with their education?
My preferred hypothesis is that maybe it is the formal education that is harmful. Extended time in desks with less time playing seems to be a bad idea at any age, but particularly when very young. Academics should be fun and playful.
