A new law in South Carolina will restrict how young users interact with certain social media platforms and hold major companies accountable for co-dependency on technology. Starting in 2027, social media platforms will be required to implement tools for parental consent, protections for minors and age verification. The new law is designed to address infinite or “doom” scrolling, personalized feeds and auto-play: examples of features believed to be causing unhealthy engagement for children online.Every year, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will receive an audit reporting statistics to prove platforms are in compliance with the law. If a platform is not in compliance with the law, they could be sued by a parent, guardian or child, for declaratory or injunctive relief, damages, court costs, reasonable attorney’s fee and other appropriate relief. If the violation is proven to be part of a consistent pattern of reckless or known conduct, punitive damages may also be awarded.The South Carolina Department of Education will be required to implement age-appropriate instruction to teach minors about the impacts of social media and to deter them from addictive use.NetChoice, representing major platforms like Meta, Google, X and Tik Tok, described the movement as a breach of privacy and free speech. The organization has targeted restrictive movements by current Attorney General Alan Wilson through lawsuit.Meta described a recent form of legal action taken by four states as “outlandish.”Read the full law here.Keep up with what’s happening around our area by downloading the WYFF News 4 app on the App Store or Google Play.
A new law in South Carolina will restrict how young users interact with certain social media platforms and hold major companies accountable for co-dependency on technology.
Starting in 2027, social media platforms will be required to implement tools for parental consent, protections for minors and age verification.
The new law is designed to address infinite or “doom” scrolling, personalized feeds and auto-play: examples of features believed to be causing unhealthy engagement for children online.
Every year, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will receive an audit reporting statistics to prove platforms are in compliance with the law.
If a platform is not in compliance with the law, they could be sued by a parent, guardian or child, for declaratory or injunctive relief, damages, court costs, reasonable attorney’s fee and other appropriate relief. If the violation is proven to be part of a consistent pattern of reckless or known conduct, punitive damages may also be awarded.
The South Carolina Department of Education will be required to implement age-appropriate instruction to teach minors about the impacts of social media and to deter them from addictive use.
NetChoice, representing major platforms like Meta, Google, X and Tik Tok, described the movement as a breach of privacy and free speech. The organization has targeted restrictive movements by current Attorney General Alan Wilson through lawsuit.
Meta described a recent form of legal action taken by four states as “outlandish.”
Read the full law here.
Keep up with what’s happening around our area by downloading the WYFF News 4 app on the App Store or Google Play.
