The law will make social media platforms liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (£25m) if they don’t systemically stop children younger than 16 from holding accounts.

Australia’s House of Representatives has yet to endorse amendments made in the Senate, but that is a formality since the government has already agreed they will pass.

In the UK, politicians are reportedly considering a similar ban.

Peter Kyle, the science secretary, told Sky News last week he wanted the regulator Ofcom to be “more assertive” when it comes to “grotesque” behaviour on social media – including where teenagers have lost their lives.

“I don’t want to go to things like blanket bans because I want people to benefit from all of the opportunities presented by modern technology.

“But where there are harms, I will keep everything on the table when it comes to keeping people safe,” he said.