South Carolina Kids Code

South Carolina Representatives Brandon Guffey (R) and Tommy Pope (R), along with Senator Sean Bennett (R), introduced the South Carolina Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (H.3402). The bill advanced through the House by a vote of 89-14 in February 2025 and then passed in the Senate. The Bill is now on its way to a Conference Committee, with its arrival expected in January. At the Committee, the multiple versions of the bill will be reconciled.

The Code will serve to 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 not collecting or selling their data, setting high privacy standards by default, and avoiding manipulative design.

5Rights will continue to support the progression of the Code and push for passage to protect and empower the children of South Carolina.