Scored 7/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Harmful Content Bill
South Carolina requires phones to block harmful content for kids
Children's Default to Safety Act
Good for everyday people ·
If passed, phones and tablets sold in South Carolina must automatically enable a passcode‑protected filter that blocks harmful material for minors, and manufacturers could be sued or fined for non‑compliance.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
Kids would get safer phones that block porn and other harmful sites. Parents could still unlock the filter, but only with a passcode they set, and giving that passcode to anyone else could be a crime. Manufacturers would have to add the filter and could be sued or fined if they don’t, which could raise device prices.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Devices sold in SC must have a filter that blocks harmful material for minors.
- The filter must be automatically enabled and passcode‑protected when the device is first turned on.
- Manufacturers can be sued by parents or fined up to $5,000 per violation, $50,000 total.
- It is a crime for anyone other than a parent or guardian to give the passcode to remove the filter.
- The Attorney General can also bring civil actions and seek penalties.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the South Carolina Bill Book 2026
The best and worst South Carolina bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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