Social Links: The Youth Panic Playbook

South Carolina’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act was signed on February 5, 2026. It took effect immediately. Four days later, NetChoice sued.

The law applies to online services “reasonably likely to be accessed by minors” and imposes a duty of “reasonable care” to prevent defined harms, including “compulsive usage” and “severe emotional distress.” Covered platforms must assess how their recommendation systems, interface design, and engagement mechanics affect younger users, and must adjust accordingly. The law has no grace period to build a compliance program. The obligations attached the moment the governor’s pen left the paper.

Read the full blog post.