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Bill

H 4591

Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Brewer and 20 co-sponsors

South Carolina bill regulates social media design features deemed addictive to limit harm, particularly to minors, with strong bipartisan backing.

Effective date 01/01/27
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4591

Legislative bill overview

H 4591, titled "Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media," is a South Carolina bill introduced in January 2026 that aims to regulate social media platforms' design practices and their effects on users, particularly minors. The bill has rapidly accumulated bipartisan support with numerous sponsors requesting to be added since its introduction. While the full text of specific provisions is not provided in the available information, bills with this title typically address algorithmic recommendation systems, infinite scroll features, notification tactics, and age-restricted access.

Why is this important

Social media regulation has become a priority across states as evidence grows regarding mental health impacts on adolescents, including increased anxiety, depression, and addictive usage patterns. This bill represents South Carolina's attempt to establish legal guardrails on platform design features that researchers argue are deliberately engineered to maximize user engagement regardless of harm. The rapid bipartisan sponsorship suggests substantial political consensus on the need for action.

Potential points of contention

  • First Amendment concerns: Tech industry advocates and free speech groups typically argue that regulating platform algorithms and design constitutes unconstitutional restrictions on speech and editorial discretion
  • Enforceability and scope: Defining "addictive" design features with legal precision is challenging; overly broad language could affect legitimate platform functionality or create compliance nightmares
  • Federal preemption: Multiple states passing different social media regulations could conflict with potential federal legislation and create a fragmented regulatory landscape that disadvantages smaller platforms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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