00:00New research is renewing debate about smacking children and its possible effects later in life.
00:06Researchers at University College London studied thousands of children and found physical punishment
00:12in early childhood was linked with lower GCSE attainment and a greater likelihood of risky
00:19behaviour during the teenage years. The study was observational and could not prove that smacking
00:24directly caused those outcomes. Campaigners backing a ban say children should receive the same protection
00:31from assault as adults. Others argue child development is influenced by many factors
00:37and say parents need ways to set boundaries. The government says it has no plans to change the law currently.
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