In one paragraph
South Carolina's S 268, 'Children and Social Media', would add Chapter 80 to Title 39. Covered online services, which may include AI-based products, would owe minors a duty of care, face limits on data, notifications and profiling, and have to explain personalized recommendation systems and report on their algorithms. The Senate approved it 43-0 on second reading April 30, 2025 and gave it third reading May 1, 2025; it was then referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None yet: the bill has not been enacted. Online services reasonably likely to be accessed by minors with over $25 million in revenue, data on 50,000 or more consumers, or half their revenue from data sales would need design changes, recommendation disclosures and audited reports.
Key provisions
- Sec. 39-80-20: covered online services must use reasonable care in handling minors' data and designing services to prevent compulsive usage, severe psychological harm, identity theft and other listed harms.
- Sec. 39-80-30: services must give tools to control recommendations, including opting into a chronological feed, and to limit time spent.
- Sec. 39-80-40: no targeted advertising to minors, no push notifications to known minors from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily or from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays during the August-May school period, and profiling of minors is prohibited unless safeguards exist or it is necessary to the service.
- Sec. 39-80-60: services using personalized recommendation systems must explain in their terms how they work and how minors or parents can opt out.
- Sec. 39-80-70: each year by July 1, an independent third-party audited public report must include a description of the algorithms used by the service.
- Sec. 39-80-80: the Attorney General enforces; a covered service is liable for treble financial damages, and officers and employees may be personally liable for willful and wanton violations.
- Takes effect upon the Governor's approval. Senate roll call 43-0 on April 30, 2025; read third time and sent to the House May 1, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Judiciary May 1, 2025.
Latest legislative action
May 1, 2025. Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Sponsors (showing 5 of 7)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Bennett | Primary |
| Gambrell | Primary |
| Grooms | Primary |
| Kennedy | Primary |
| Leber | Primary |
Roll call votes
2nd Reading Apr 30, 2025
43 yea0 nay3 otherPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error