Governor Glenn Youngkin continues to listen to Virginia parents across the Commonwealth as he builds on his agenda to put parents back at the head of the table in their children’s education and upbringing.

At his latest Parents Matter town hall events in Fredericksburg and Henrico, Youngkin shared his ongoing efforts to empower parents, restore excellence in education, and protect kids online. Youngkin also heard from parents about the challenges their children face with learning loss after the pandemic and with the dangers of social media.

EMPOWERING PARENTS

Since day one, Governor Youngkin has worked to empower parents in their children’s education. Youngkin gave parents more control over what their kids are learning, eliminated divisive concepts from the classroom, and improved transparency so parents know what’s happening at their children’s schools.

“This is about parents to not just be at the table, but to be at the head of the table in their children’s lives,” said Governor Youngkin in Fredericksburg.

RESTORING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

“I am very, very clear-eyed about the fact that learning loss coming out of the pandemic has not gone away,” said Youngkin in Fredericksburg. “The learning loss coming out of the pandemic is going to require us to double down. We have a huge group of children who, in fact, are struggling, and we have to continue to go to work to support them.”

Since taking office, Governor Youngkin has worked to provide every Virginia student with a best-in-class education. Youngkin passed the largest education budget in Virginia history, increased teacher pay by 10%, and enhanced literacy by funding reading coaches through the 3rd Grade. 

PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE

The negative impact of social media on children’s mental health was also a top issue at each of Youngkin’s Parents Matter events. Parents shared personal stories of how social media has affected their children and agreed with Youngkin that more needs to be done to protect children on these platforms.

"It is like closing a door with all the windows open," one parent shared in Henrico. "I feel like anyone can come in at any time, and as much as we try to protect our children, it’s really hard, and you feel incredibly vulnerable.”

Youngkin has put forth solutions to safeguard Virginia’s kids against the dangers of social media and stop Big Tech companies from exploiting the online data of minors. Youngkin’s proposals would require children under 18 to get parental approval before having access to social media and would require social media companies to receive a parent’s permission before accessing a child’s personal data.

Unfortunately, Democrats in control of Virginia’s Senate blocked these commonsense measures. That’s why Governor Youngkin is working hard to flip the Virginia Senate in November, so there will be commonsense allies in the General Assembly to pass legislation to protect children online.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Youngkin is delivering on his promise to put Virginia parents back at the head of the table in their children’s education and upbringing. But that work will be impossible to complete without your help.

If you believe

That parents still matter... 

That parents should have a say in what their kids are learning at school...

That Virginia leaders should work with parents to protect our children on social media...

Please consider donating to Governor Youngkin’s efforts to flip the Senate in November. Every dollar you can spare will be put to use, electing quality candidates who will always put parents over politics.

You can help by donating HERE!

Thank you for any contribution you’re willing to make and for your continued support of Virginia’s parents and children.

Team Youngkin