A new South Carolina law takes aim at social media addiction among young people, and it could change how children across the state use their phones. The Palmetto State already provides inpatient and outpatient programs aimed at a wide assortment of addictions, from alcohol to the internet.
Now, The Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media Act goes one digital step further. The law requires platforms to treat users 15 and under as children by limiting the features that keep them scrolling.
The New South Carolina Law
The law requires social media platforms to restrict autoplay videos and hide engagement metrics like likes and comments for younger users. It also requires platforms to monitor and limit the amount of time children spend on them to prevent users’ brains from becoming dependent on the addiction for pleasure. State Rep. Brandon Guffey, who has pushed online safety legislation for years, called it a small step he believes could become a national model.
Guffey began advocating after losing his son, Gavin, in 2022 to an online extortion scheme. His earlier bill, known as Gavin’s Law, passed in South Carolina and helped shape national legislation. “This generation needs the protections online,” Guffey announced.
Understanding Social Media Addiction
Social media addiction is behavioral in nature, which means folks can become hooked on an activity much the way someone becomes dependent on a substance. Social media apps are built around dopamine-driven reward loops, so endless feeds, autoplay and notifications can be hard to step away from.
Common signs in teens for digital addictions in general include losing track of time online, anxiety or irritability when away from the phone, falling grades, sleep problems, and pulling back from friends and family.
The Mental Health Stakes for Teens & Parents
The concern behind the law is mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, over 40% of teens who use social media regularly rate their mental health as low. Social media use shares links with substance abuse and self harm, with 10% of the heaviest users showed signs of suicidal intent or self-harm. Guffey hopes limiting addictive features will help kids reconnect with friends and family in person.
Parents don’t have to wait for the law to take effect to make changes at home. Setting screen-time limits, keeping phones and computers out of bedrooms at night, and talking openly about online pressure can all help. If a teen’s social media use is affecting their mood, sleep or daily life, a counselor who treats behavioral addictions can help sort out what is going on, including any anxiety or depression underneath it.
Addiction Treatment in South Carolina and Beyond
If you are worried about a young person’s social media use or another addiction, local help is available. For teens who have an emergency, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support any time.
Our listings featured verified treatment centers in South Carolina and every other state in the union. Simply browse our directory or call
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