Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins 32-State Brief Protecting Children from Social Media Harms

AG: South Carolina News

Published April 7th, 2026

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 32-state amicus brief defending Louisiana's law that protects children from addictive social media harms. The brief was filed in the D.C. Circuit in Murrill v. NetChoice and argues states have authority to protect minors from online dangers without violating First Amendment rights. Platforms reportedly earn $11 billion annually from ads directed at children, including nearly $2 billion from users aged 12 and under.

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What changed

This press release announces that South Carolina's Attorney General joined a multi-state amicus brief supporting Louisiana's child protection law regulating social media platforms. The amicus brief argues that state governments possess the authority to protect children from addictive and harmful social media content, and that such protections do not unconstitutionally infringe on minors' First Amendment rights. The brief cites significant platform revenue from advertising to children as rationale for regulatory action.

Social media platforms and technology companies subject to this litigation face potential exposure to state-level age-based restrictions on platform access and features. Companies operating in jurisdictions with similar proposed legislation should monitor the outcome of this case, as a favorable ruling for state authority could catalyze additional state-level child protection laws targeting platform design and advertising practices.

What to do next

Monitor for updates on Murrill v. NetChoice litigation outcome
Track similar state legislation protecting minors online

Source document (simplified)

APR 07, 2026

Attorney General Alan Wilson protects children from the harms of social media

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a 32-state friend-of-the-court brief in defense of a Louisiana law that protects children from the addictive harms of social media.

States have the power to protect children from the harms posed by social media. Platforms have brought in $11 billion per year from ads directed at children, including nearly $2 billion in profits from ads derived from users age 12 and under.

“As a father and Attorney General, I believe it is imperative that we protect children from online dangers,” Attorney General Wilson said. “We must adapt to this fast-paced digital age while securing a better future for our children.”

The amici states hold the position that state and federal governments have the power to protect children from the harms of social media, and that these protections are not a violation of the First Amendment rights of minors.

“Today’s children are growing up in the Wild West of the digital age,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “Children are being exposed to harmful and dangerous content daily on social media and we must take action.”

In addition to Attorney General Wilson, the attorneys general of the following states have also signed on to this Florida-led brief: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Delaware, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

You can read the brief here.

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