Lawmaker who lost son to suicide warns Senate that ‘big tech is the big tobacco of this generation’

South Carolina House Rep. Brandon Guffey shared heart-wrenching testimony during Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Children’s Safety in the Digital Era. Guffey’s mission to protect children from online dangers stems from a personal tragedy – the loss of his teenage son, Gavin, to suicide in a sextortion scheme nearly three years ago.

Gavin, just 17 years old at the time of his death, fell victim to a scammer on Instagram who posed as a girl and coerced him into sending explicit photos using “vanish mode” chat. The scammer then threatened to release the photos unless Gavin paid up. Despite sending $25, all he had in his account, Gavin was continuously harassed for more money until he tragically took his own life.

The devastation didn’t end there for the Guffey family. The scammer went on to harass Brandon Guffey, his son, and his teen cousin. Guffey blames Meta for only taking down the account tormenting Gavin while leaving the rest of the scammer’s accounts active.

In a turn of events, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, the scammer behind Gavin’s sextortion, was indicted by a Grand Jury and extradited from Nigeria to the United States. Facing the possibility of life in prison, Lawal’s arrest was a small victory for the Guffey family.

In Gavin’s honor, Guffey successfully passed Gavin’s Law in South Carolina, making sextortion a felony with harsher penalties for cases involving minors. The law also mandates that schools educate students about the dangers of sextortion.

Despite these efforts, Guffey remains critical of Big Tech’s role in online safety. He attended a hearing where Mark Zuckerberg offered a lackluster apology, solidifying Guffey’s belief that Big Tech cannot self-regulate effectively.

Guffey is advocating for reform regarding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from legal liability for user-generated content. He believes this law has allowed Big Tech to evade accountability for the harm caused on their platforms.

While federal legislation is crucial, Guffey also stresses the need for a cultural shift. He emphasizes the importance of grace and forgiveness, urging parents to have open conversations with their children about online safety.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports a significant increase in financial sextortion cases involving children and teens. Parents are advised to educate their children about the dangers of sextortion and encourage them to seek help rather than comply with blackmailers.

Guffey’s unwavering dedication to protecting children online serves as a reminder of the urgent need for stricter regulations and heightened awareness of online risks. His advocacy honors Gavin’s memory and aims to prevent similar tragedies from befalling other families.