H.3424 (2024), Child Online Safety Act
In force
S.C. Code Ann. section 37-1-310
Effective 2025-01-01 · Applies to private
Requires a commercial entity that knowingly publishes material on a website, more than one third of which is material harmful to minors, to perform reasonable age verification of South Carolina visitors using a digitized identification card, a third party verification service, or a commercially reasonable method relying on transactional data.
| Age threshold | 18 |
| Verification methods | digital id, third party service, transactional data |
| Enforcement body | South Carolina Attorney General; private civil action for damages, court costs, and attorney fees. |
| Private suits | yes |
Source: S.C. Code Ann. section 37-1-310
H.3431 (2026), Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (Act No. 96 of 2026)
In force
S.C. Code Ann. Title 39, ch. 80
Effective 2026-02-05 · Applies to private
Requires online services reasonably likely to be accessed by minors to set protective default privacy settings for known minors, offer opt outs from personalized recommendation systems, limit addictive design features and nighttime and school hours notifications, and undergo independent third party audits reported to the Attorney General. NetChoice sued days after enactment and a preliminary injunction motion is pending.
| Age threshold | 18 |
| Penalties | Treble damages available to the Attorney General, and possible personal liability for officers and employees for willful and wanton violations. |
| Enforcement body | South Carolina Attorney General |
Litigation: NetChoice, LLC v. Wilson, No. 3:26-cv-00543-SAL (D.S.C.) (U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina). Filed February 9, 2026 alleging First and Fourteenth Amendment violations. NetChoice moved for a preliminary injunction on March 9, 2026; briefing was completed April 20, 2026 and the motion remains pending with no ruling as of this date, so the Act remains enforceable.
Source: S.C. Code Ann. Title 39, ch. 80