Children hit by parents more likely to bully others, research finds

The Guardian World Thursday 11 June 2026, 04:00 UTC By Richard Adams Education editor 1 min read

Key Points

The UCL study also found physically punished children were more likely to struggle in schoolChildren smacked by their parents struggle to get good exam results and are more likely to bully others, causing a negative impact on society, according to new research calling for smacking to be banned. The study by University College London (UCL) found that children in England who were physically punished at the ages of three, five and seven were significantly less likely to pass GCSE exams compared...

The UCL study also found physically punished children were more likely to struggle in school

Children smacked by their parents struggle to get good exam results and are more likely to bully others, causing a negative impact on society, according to new research calling for smacking to be banned.

The study by University College London (UCL) found that children in England who were physically punished at the ages of three, five and seven were significantly less likely to pass GCSE exams compared with other children, even after factors such as family background were taken into account.

UCL (ORG) University College London (ORG) England (LOCATION) GCSE (ORG)

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Children hit by parents more likely to bully others, research finds

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