Smacking a child does brain damage the same as abuse, research shows It may affect their entire lives in how they make decisions and process situations Sign me up now When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice. Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice Smacking damages a child's brain similar to if they were being severely physically abused, warns a new study. Children who have been assaulted and those who have been smacked as a form of punishment share similar brain damage, say scientists.