It's harmful

More than 1500 scientific studies show that smacking is harmful.

Smacking shrinks the brain

Children who are smacked just once a month have 14-19% smaller brains in the decision making area.

It negatively affects a child’s IQ

Children smacked between 2 and 4 years of age have 5 less IQ points, whilst children smacked between 5 and 9 years of age have 2.8 less IQ points.

Regular smacking is consistently associated with:

• increased rates of aggression/fighting
• negative relationships with parents and carers
• antisocial behaviour
• increased levels of anxiety and lower self-esteem
• substance abuse
• increased mental health problems
• lower intellectual ability
• poor impulse control.

Hitting is not the answer

Hitting (or smacking) focuses on the behaviour and misses the child's underlying needs.

It might stop a child from doing something in the moment, but they still haven’t learnt how to do things differently next time.

Smacking can lead to built-up resentment and hostility and stop some children from talking to parents about their worries for fear of further punishment.

'I was smacked and I turned out okay'

Every time we smack a child, we increase their risk of developing short or long term problems. Today, thanks to ongoing studies and scientific research, we have a better understanding of how children learn and develop and the negative impact hitting has on a child’s health and wellbeing.