Bill > H3431

This bill, the South Carolina Social Media Regulation Act, aims to protect minors online by imposing new requirements on "covered online services," which are defined as businesses operating online with significant revenue or data processing activities that are likely to be accessed by minors. The bill prohibits these services from permitting minors (individuals under 18) to create accounts without certain safeguards and requires them to implement features designed to prevent "compulsive usage" (excessive use that interferes with major life activities) and other harms like psychological distress or identity theft. Social media companies must provide parents or guardians with tools to manage their child's account settings, limit time spent on the service, restrict purchases, and control visibility of their child's information. Additionally, the bill mandates that social media companies restrict access to minors during certain hours, specifically between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily, and during school hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays) from August to May, and prohibits targeted advertising to minors. The Attorney General will be responsible for enforcing these provisions, with violations potentially leading to triple damages and personal liability for company officers in cases of willful misconduct.

Business and Industry, Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3431&session=126&summary=B