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 in early childhood
00:13was linked with lower GCSE attainment and a greater likelihood of risky behaviour during the teenage years.
00:21The study was observational and could not prove that smacking directly caused those outcomes.
00:28Campaigners backing a ban say children should receive the same protection from assault as adults.
00:34Others argue child development is influenced by many factors and say parents need ways to set boundaries.
00:40The government says it has no plans to change the law currently.
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