It was meant to be an innocent photograph of a sweet moment between mother and daughter.

But Victoria Beckham's picture of herself kissing five-year-old Harper on the lips instead led to a furious parenting debate.

The singer turned fashion designer uploaded the snap to Instagram in celebration of Harper’s fifth birthday.

Hundreds of people posted messages of goodwill to the celeb mum and her little girl, but some complained about the picture being “suggestive” or “lesbian”.

One user wrote: “It is strange to kiss your parents on the lips. We need to stop saying to other people it isn’t.”

Another said: “It's not right to damn near make oht w your kid. Look how her head is tilting.”

Other claims included “kids get cold sores from their parents kissing them on the mouth”, while someone suggested Harper should wear a bathing suit or shirt because there are “a lot of perverts out there.”

Many people leapt to Victoria’s defence over the photo.

One wrote: “She is a mum showing her daughter how much she loves her. Get your minds out of the gutter people.”

And someone else said: “It's her child, why shouldn't she kiss her on the lips, forehead, toes or wherever she wants? Necessary doesn't come in to it. She is not causing her harm or upset. She's being her loving mother.”

Many mothers have taken to social media to support the former Spice Girl by posting their own loving snaps giving their children an affectionate peck.

What do you think? Add your comments below.