Facebook and Twitter could face ’online abuse levy’

'Unique set of risks'

A spokesperson for the NSPCC said keeping young people safe online was "the biggest child protection issue of our time".

"Social media companies are marking their own homework when it comes to keeping children safe, so a code of practice is definitely a step in the right direction but 'how' it is implemented will be crucial.

"Young people face a unique set of risks when using the internet and it is important any strategy recognises the challenges they face online and requires industry to act to protect them."

Vicki Shotbolt, chief executive at social enterprise Parent Zone, said it was encouraging to see the government taking "concrete steps" to make the internet a safer place for children.

Asking social-media companies to contribute towards the costs of educating the public about online dangers has precedence in the gambling industry, which currently contributes an amount to the treatment of gambling addition.

The government also wants to see online safety given more attention at schools, with social-media safety advice built into existing education programmes.

The consultation will close on 7 December, and the government expects to respond in early 2018.