Leading Article: The offspring strike back

Beware as you raise your hand in temper and exasperation at your errant 11-year-old. One smacked child is taking his mother and stepfather to the European Court to protest at the violation of his human rights.

But just think how far this inter-familial litigation could go. Five- year- olds denied their favourite cartoons could claim sensory deprivation, grounded teenagers could sue for false imprisonment. And parents will have to reach deep in their pockets to pay the damages claimed by health- mad thirtysomethings, stuffed full of E-numbers and additives in their formative years.