S.C. House Panel Notes Complexity of Kids Social Media Bill

“We realize that there are a lot of stakeholders, not [all of which] could be here today to testify,” said Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman Travis Moore (R). "We've received a lot of written testimony. We're aware of the fact [that] there's a similar bill has been filed in the Senate. We're also aware of the various different legal issues facing similar laws in other states. And those are just a short list of reasons and considerations why we should be very deliberate in anything we do here and make sure that the approach we take is what's going to ultimately be the most effective and best result for the citizens.”

HB-3431, the South Carolina Social Media Act, is aimed at regulating and limiting social media use for minors by restricting their access to social media during certain hours, giving parents information about their child’s usage of the social media and access to settings -- including privacy settings -- and requiring parental consent for minors to have an account on a social media platform.

Bills like this one are a good start at regulating big tech, said Marisa Shea, policy advocate for Reset Tech. “We instead need legislation that puts some of the onus back on the platforms to design better, safer products,” she said. “Specifically, legislation should focus on strong data minimization and specific design mandates by requiring companies to limit their collection and use of kids data to what is necessary to provide the online product or service requested." That way, "we ensure companies cannot amass large data profiles that can be used to target and exploit children and manipulate their online experiences.”

Patrick Kelly, director of government affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association, also testified in support of the bill, citing harms to students’ mental health as one reason for the bill.

The subcommittee plans to schedule another meeting on the bill, said Moore.