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Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter could face financial penalties under a Coalition plan to curb online bullying of children.

It has suggested setting up a children's e-safety commissioner with the power to monitor online content and seek the removal of harmful material.

However, given most large social media websites are based overseas and therefore not subject to Australian law, the scheme would rely on "cooperative regulation" between the government and affected companies.

The policy would require the websites to have a clear complaints process, but also allow the commissioner to issue a take-down notice if there was a clear problem with the online content which the complainant was unable to resolve.

"This is not about internet censorship, this is not about big brother," Opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

"What this will do is give parents and teachers and carers and children the tools to ensure that bullying and harassment is no more acceptable on a smart phone than it is in a playground."

The Coalition plans to consult the affected websites in developing the idea, including what material would be considered likely to "cause harm to an Australian child".

If there was a breach of the cooperative regulations, the companies could face fines or other penalties.

But it is unclear whether companies such as Facebook or Twitter would be willing to sign up to such a scheme.

The Government and police have , accusing it of being arrogant and not responding to the legitimate concerns of Australian authorities.

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Coalition floats plan to curb online bullying