A world-leading ban on social media for under-16s will be crucial in reducing rates of bullying online, the education minister says.

Social media companies will forced to take reasonable steps from December 10 to ensure underage users aren't able to access the platforms, with fines of up to $50 million if they don't comply.

Education Minister Jason Clare said the looming ban would also remove access to AI chatbots on social media sites, which was one of the leading causes of bullying.

"The two big ones at the moment are TikTok and Snapchat ... they're the two big ones where a lot of online bullying is happening at the moment, and so the action that we're taking that starts on December 10 will help a lot of young people there," he told Sky News on Sunday.

"The action that we're taking t

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