Rapid City, SD – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that the state will join a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from 45 states and territories in urging Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (Senate Bill 1748). The legislation seeks to establish minimum safety standards for social media and gaming platforms while preserving each state’s ability to enforce its own child‑protection laws.
State‑level actions set the stage
Jackley highlighted South Dakota’s recent efforts to protect children online, noting the passage of state legislation that requires platforms to verify the age of users and the recent $52 million settlement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. “Our settlement with Meta created important safeguards for South Dakota families,” Jackley said, “but it does not provide consistent protections across the entire technology industry.”
Why a federal standard matters
The coalition argues that without a nationwide framework, children and teens remain vulnerable to harmful content, data‑mining practices, and predatory advertising. By setting clear, minimum standards, the Kids Online Safety Act would give parents and guardians greater confidence that the platforms their children use are held to consistent safety rules.
Bipartisan support from the region
Joining Jackley in the effort are attorneys general from neighboring states Wyoming and North Dakota, as well as officials from across the political spectrum. The broad, bipartisan nature of the coalition underscores the shared concern that online safety is not a partisan issue but a matter of protecting families and upholding the Constitution’s guarantee of parental rights.
Administration’s stance
The Trump administration has expressed support for measures that empower parents and protect children from online harms. In a recent statement, the administration praised the Kids Online Safety Act as a commons‑sense approach that balances innovation with responsibility.
What’s next?
Attorneys general plan to meet with congressional leaders in the coming weeks to discuss the bill’s provisions and to advocate for swift passage. If enacted, the law would require platforms to implement age‑verification tools, provide clear privacy notices, and establish mechanisms for reporting and removing harmful content aimed at minors.
Local impact
For South Dakota families, the legislation promises a more uniform set of protections regardless of which platform a child uses. “Our children deserve the same level of safety online whether they are in Rapid City or a small town on the plains,” Jackley said. The AG’s participation signals that the state will continue to champion policies that safeguard the next generation while respecting the role of parents and local communities.
As the federal debate unfolds, South Dakota residents can expect ongoing updates from the Attorney General’s office on how the Kids Online Safety Act may affect state‑level initiatives and what additional steps the state might take to reinforce online safety for its youngest citizens.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
