The US version of Skins is causing widespread controversy as advertising is pulled and parents’ groups slam it as “dangerous”.

The US adaptation of edgy Bafta winning British series, Skins, which followed the fortunes of a group of six formers as they negotiated such teen issues as mental illness, family dysfunction, sexual orientation and drug abuse, was always going to be problematic for American audiences.

But the Parents Television Council (PTC) pulled no punches declaring Skins, which premiered on MTV last week, “the most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen”.

The group claimed that the show could be breaking child porn laws and US laws against sexual exploitation of minors.

Trailers for an upcoming episode show one character, Tea, played by Sofia Black D’Elia, exploring her burgeoning lesbianism.

The PTC’s complaints have had a knock on effect with advertiser Taco Bell pulling a campaign from the show’s time-slot.

MTV defended their show saying it complied “with laws and community standards” and that it “addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way”.

Watch the Skins