COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Kids Code Coalition today applauded South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s signature Thursday of H.3431, which includes the South Carolina Age-Appropriate Design Code, and issued the following statement thanking Gov. McMaster for signing the bill into law:

“As parents, families and community members across the state who have urged state leaders to protect our kids online, we thank Governor McMaster and our legislators, led by Rep. Guffey, Sen. Bennett, and Sen. Newton, for standing up and taking real action. With harm to kids and teens accelerating as Big Tech companies continue to exploit young people in order to increase their own profits, we are thankful for this much-needed legislation that can and will make a real difference for South Carolina’s youngest generation and our future.”

The Governor’s signature came as a group of kids online safety groups were set to send a letter today urging him to sign the legislation over the objections of the Big Tech lobby.

About the South Carolina Age Appropriate Online Design Code 

Social media companies are profiting off the time, attention, and data of young people—creating a vicious cycle of exploitation and harm. Online platforms purposely design their products to keep kids on screens, track kids’ activity, and then monetize the data they collect to increase profits—no matter the cost to South Carolina kids and families.

The South Carolina Age-Appropriate Design Code would improve young people’s digital experiences by requiring tech companies to implement privacy-by-default and safety-by-design protections for kids online. This means setting high privacy standards by default and avoiding manipulative design. With the Governor’s approval, the law now takes immediate effect.

A wide range of community advocates testified in support of the South Carolina Age Appropriate Design Code last year over the course of three ad hoc subcommittee hearings, including educators, medical experts, youth and parents. Watch video of its 2025 Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee discussion and vote here.

About the Kids Code Coalition

The Kids Code Coalition is a wide-ranging group of national and state organizations dedicated to improving youth online security and privacy by supporting policies that ensure companies prioritize kids’ and teens’ safety and developmental needs when designing digital platforms and products.

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