Bill > H4631

This bill establishes the "Social Media Public Service Announcement and Youth Mental Health Act" to require social media platforms operating in South Carolina to display mental health public service announcements (PSAs) addressing the potential negative impacts of social media on youth. Specifically, the bill mandates that for every ten posts or content items in a user's feed, one PSA developed by the Office of Mental Health must be automatically displayed, with requirements that these PSAs be prominently shown, clearly labeled, and include links to mental health resources. Social media platforms must submit annual compliance reports detailing the number of PSA impressions and implementation details, and face potential administrative penalties of up to $25,000 per day for non-compliance. The PSAs will focus on educating users, particularly minors, about social media-related mental health risks such as anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and self-harm. Any civil penalties collected will be deposited into a new Youth Mental Health Awareness Fund dedicated to mental health education and youth outreach. The bill defines key terms like "social media platform" and empowers the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to create implementation regulations, with the act set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4631&session=126&summary=B