Actor Will Smith and his wife Jada are reportedly under the scanner of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services as they plan to officially investigate the emergence of a photograph of their teenage daughter Willow in bed with a topless man, online.

The photograph, which surfaced earlier this month, is in black and white, and it features 13-year-old Willow lying on a bed with 20-year-old Disney star Moises Arias.

The picture has prompted the investigation, reports radaronline.com.

An insider said: "The investigation was formally opened last week and is being taken very seriously by the department. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been extremely co-operative with officials. Of course, they aren't happy that their parenting skills are under scrutiny, but they understand.

"Social workers will also be talking separately with Willow, and they also want to talk to the young man in the picture with her as well. This won't just be one or two visits with the family, and it will likely be an open investigation for at least a month, out of an abundance of caution."

The photo, which was deleted by Moises shortly after he posted it, shows Willow lying on top of bedsheets, while the "Hannah Montana" actor sits shirtless behind her with his back against a wall.

Jada has earlier clarified her stance on the photograph and told TMZ: "Here's the deal. There was nothing sexual about that picture of that situation."