Brian Austin Green has defended his sons’ long hair after a post he shared on Instagram sparked criticism.

On Friday, the actor shared a photo of himself and his three sons, Noah Shannon, seven, Bodhi Ransom, six, and Journey River, four, in the car.

“Target run,” the 47-year-old captioned the post.

While most of the comments were positive, some of Green’s followers criticised the boys’ long hair and the actor’s parenting.

Green addressed the negative comments in the comments section where he wrote: “I’ve read some of the comments here. I’m not saying anything is right or wrong. I think some people with different opinions are attacked because opinions usually start with the words ‘I think’ or something similar. When people state opinions as facts is when arguments happen,” according to a screenshot shared by People.

He continued: "The fact is my boys have and like long hair.

"In my opinion they are beautiful and will still be and possibly be mistaken for girls if they wore matching short and T-shirt combos and had short hair.

"Some people like boys and men with long hair. Some people don’t. Both opinions are okay.”

The actor’s response prompted fans to also come to his defence, with one person commenting: “You shouldn’t have to explain yourself. They are kids and who cares? If my son wanted to play with dolls I let him… who cares? Long hair short hair who cares.

“They are beautiful and they are kids, stop being bullies on social media because I guarantee you wouldn’t stop him in person and say these things.”

Green shares his three youngest sons with estranged wife Megan Fox. He is also a father to son Kassius Lijah Marcil-Green, 18, from a previous relationship.

Fox has also previously defended the childrens’ lengthy hair, telling Today in 2018 that the couple’s middle child Bodhi has “THE BEST hair, so it would be a crime to cut it.”

“I’m going to let that be something he decides to do on his own,” she said.

In a recent Instagram Live, the father-of-four opened up about his relationship with Fox, and their mutual love for their children.

“We had an amazing 15-year relationship. We have three beautiful kids. We shared a lot together and we really went through a lot together,” he said. “Right now the paths are different and she is on her path doing what she feels she needs to be doing to be happy and I’m on my path doing what I feel I need to do to be happy and it’s not for a lack of love for the kids or lack of being responsible.”