While young kids are being exposed to range of objectionable images all the time, recently an advertisement made by Marks & Spencer for the promotion of its new range of Autograph lingerie caught them off guard. There were as many as 15 complaints launched against the poster to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), which has come into action.

Acknowledging the impact of such adverts on kids, the agency has deemed the poster as ''socially irresponsible''. It has been said the poster is sexually provocative and could be damaging for the kids.

There were lingering fears in the minds of people that the poster which shows a stocking-clad woman kneeling on a bed with her legs wide apart and back arched could put wrong image in the minds of teens. However, the agency had cleared one advertisement, claiming it to be 'mildly sexual' but another one was told to be inappropriate to be made public.

There have been many times concerns raised about the impact of objectionable images being shown on television and other mass media, and that’s why this recent poster made so much of fuss in the society.

'”We considered that the image was of an overtly sexual nature and was therefore unsuitable for untargeted outdoor display, as it was likely to be seen by children. We concluded that the ad was socially irresponsible”, said the ASA, while claiming that such adverts could have damaging effect on children.

However, the company seems to be in denial mode as it claimed that they have made the poster keeping the relevance of the range of products in mind and there was no hidden intention to send provocative signals to children. Being known as a lingerie retailer, the advert seems to be perfect but in the purview of society, advert has certainly disappointed one and all.