SC bans addictive social media features for young teens. Here’s what to know

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a new law aimed at protecting kids’ mental health by cutting off “addictive features” like autoplay videos and infinite scrolling for users under 16. The law requires large social media companies to estimate users’ ages and obtain parental consent for younger teens.

FULL STORY: SC wants teens off their screens. Ban on autoplay videos in new social media law

Here are key takeaways:

• The law, called “Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media,” bans autoplay videos, push notifications, infinite scrolling and content metrics like “like” counts for users under 16, even with parental consent. Targeted advertising to children and younger teens is also prohibited.
• Rather than requiring ID uploads, the law directs large social media companies — those making at least $1 billion in annual ad revenue — to estimate users’ ages based on platform activity and birthdate. Accounts active for seven or more years are exempt from age estimation.
• State Rep. Brandon Guffey, R-York, who lost his teenage son to suicide after an online sextortion scam, championed the bill and called social media companies “the big tobacco of this generation.” He said he hopes the law becomes a national model.
• NetChoice, a trade group representing Meta, Google, TikTok and YouTube, opposed the bill, with Vice President Amy Bos arguing it violates free speech protections. NetChoice already sued South Carolina over a separate February law aimed at minors online.
• State Sen. Russell Ott, D-Calhoun, cautioned that parents shouldn’t view the law as a cure-all. “We all have responsibility, not just elected officials, but parents,” he said.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.