They believe children should be given the same protection as adults from physical punishment.

Smacking is already illegal in Scotland and Wales, as well as in many other countries.

The government maintains that parents are trusted to discipline their children and that there are clear laws against violence towards children.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) recommends England and Northern Ireland change the law to prohibit physical punishment of children, following Scotland and Wales' lead.

Currently, parents in England and Northern Ireland may argue that smacking, hitting, or slapping a child is "reasonable punishment" and avoid legal consequences.

The Children Act 2004 forbids assaulting a child causing actual or grievous bodily harm or cruelty.

However, RCPCH's review of studies indicates that physical punishment can negatively impact children's behavior, health, and wellbeing.

Children who experience physical punishment are nearly three times more likely to have poor mental health and twice as likely to be victims of serious physical assault and abuse.

The text discusses the negative effects of physical punishment on children, including increased chances of having difficult relationships with family and being aggressive later in life.

Professor Andrew Rowland, who specializes in child protection, often encounters challenging situations when explaining the rules around child physical punishment, which is legal in some cases but not in others.