South Carolina lawmaker turns personal tragedy into campaign for online child safety

In July 2022, Gavin Guffey, 17, died by suicide after falling victim to an Instagram-based sextortion scheme that demanded money to keep his private photos hidden. The tragedy occurred while his father, Brandon Guffey, was campaigning for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In response, Guffey has become a leading advocate for child online safety, pushing through "Gavin's Law" which criminalizes sextortion and requires schools to teach about it.

He also secured legislation that forces social-media companies to obtain parental consent for users under 16 and to disable features linked to excessive screen time. Through his nonprofit Less Than 3, Guffey offers resources to families and shares his son's story in community settings. He has authored a memoir detailing the ordeal and continues to lobby for broader reforms, including changes to Section 230 protections for platforms.