Attorney General Alan Wilson and Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver pen letter to school districts as new school year begins

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson and South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver penned a letter to school districts across our state, cautioning them about the specific threats to student safety.

“As a dad, I know a new school year always brings excitement and great expectations for both parents and children,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “But as students return to classrooms across the state, there are serious safety concerns of which parents, children, and school staff need to be aware.”

The letter highlights the dangers of social media and other digital spaces used by predators to exploit and manipulate children, the rise of artificial intelligence in the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and counterfeit pills containing deadly substances.

“The academic gains we're seeing across South Carolina, the opportunities opening for our students, and the dreams they're pursuing for the future all rest on a foundation of safety and trust. If our students and teachers are not safe, nothing else matters,” State Superintendent Weaver said. “Working alongside families, educators, law enforcement, and community leaders, we will continue doing everything in our power to ensure South Carolina's children are safe, supported, and free to focus on learning, growing, and reaching their full, God-given potential.”

Over the past several years, South Carolina has made historic investments in school safety by strengthening school security, expanding the presence of school resource officers, and fostering strong coordination among schools, law enforcement, and state agencies.

The Attorney General’s Office has worked tirelessly to enact legislation criminalizing AI-generated CSAM and giving law enforcement stronger tools to prosecute those who exploit children. Both agencies remain committed to partnering with schools to ensure every South Carolina student can learn in an environment that is safe.

You can read the letter here.