S.C. Rep. Brandon Guffey received the 2026 Sammy Berman Chapman Memorial Award at the Organization for Social Media Safety’s Annual Social Media Safety Gala on April 29 in Los Angeles, earning national recognition for his years of advocacy on behalf of children’s online safety.
The award was presented at the Skirball Cultural Center, where Guffey shared the stage with prominent advocates including Dr. Laura Berman and Tanya Rad before a room of fellow child safety activists.
Guffey’s advocacy was born from devastating personal loss. His 17 year old son, Gavin, died after falling victim to a sextortion predator. Rather than retreat from that grief, Guffey channeled it into action, running for the South Carolina legislature and successfully passing Gavin’s Law. He has since carried that fight to the United States Congress and the World Court in Berlin.
The Organization for Social Media Safety, which presents the award annually, described Guffey’s trajectory as one of “devastating loss and incredible resolve,” saying he turned the worst moment of his life into protection for children everywhere.
Guffey acknowledged the recognition more than a week after the gala, saying he was honored to receive the award and grateful to reconnect with longtime partners in the effort to protect children online while meeting new allies in that work. He pointed to the Organization for Social Media Safety as a key partner going forward.
“If we aren’t fighting for the next generation,” Guffey said, “then how can we say ‘Tomorrow Needs You’?”
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