Is MTV's "Skins" About to Break Child Pornography Laws?

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) The new MTV series "Skins" takes the network's signature of pushing the limits to new heights - or depths, depending on your point of view.

PICTURES: Could MTV's "Skins" Break Child Porn Laws?

But is airing the sex-fueled exploits of teenage actors playing, well, extremely horny teenagers...illegal - as in child-porn?

The New York Times reports that MTV executives are scared that new episodes soon to air may violate federal child pornography statutes.

According to the newspaper, it is the third episode of the series, which is scheduled to be broadcast Jan. 31, that is drawing some concern, due to a nude scene with a 17-year-old actor shown running down a street.

The executives ordered the producers to make changes to tone down some of the most explicit content, according to the Times.

"'Skins' is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way," MTV spokeswoman Jeannie Kedas said in a statement to the New York Times. "We review all of our shows and work with all of our producers on an ongoing basis to ensure our shows comply with laws and community standards. We are confident that the episodes of 'Skins' will not only comply with all applicable legal requirements, but also with our responsibilities to our viewers."

Like its British original, the U.S. "Skins" stars a troupe of fresh faces, many of them first-time actors who the show boasts are all actually teenagers. Set in a dreary Northeast city with a bustling high school, the show focuses on nine sexually active characters who are linked with one another in more ways than speed-dial.

Though reviews have been solid, it has also won a reverse salute from the Parents Television Council, which on Thursday blasted MTV for marketing the show to a teenage audience, and declared, "'Skins' may well be the most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen."

Episodes of "Skins" are rated TV-MA, indicating that the content may be unsuitable for viewers younger than 17, the Times reports.  According to the paper, MTV states in news releases that the show is "specifically designed to be viewed by adults." 

According to the Nielsen Company, the first episode drew 1.2 million people younger than 18.