Tim Scott Unveils ‘Empower Parents Plan’ to Protect Children in Education, Technology

Tim Scott Unveils ‘Empower Parents Plan’ to Protect Children in Education, Technology
U.S. senator and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Tim Scott speaks at the Republican Party of Iowa's 2023 Lincoln Dinner at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 28, 2023. (Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images)
Katabella Roberts
8/29/2023
Updated:
8/29/2023
0:00

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Aug. 28 announced his new education and technology plan aimed at “empowering parents” and protecting American children from Big Tech.

The new plan came as the Republican presidential candidate returned to his home state on Monday after taking part in the GOP primary debate in Milwaukee and proceeded to meet with parents, homeschool advocates, and voters, according to a press release from his campaign.

The senator is set to host a number of events across South Carolina this week and will travel to Iowa on Thursday to host events there, his campaign said.

Mr. Scott’s new plan centers around three main aspects—defending children, empowering parents, and protecting children online from Big Tech.

“Teachers’ unions, Big Tech, and Joe Biden are on a mission to make parents less important,” said Mr. Scott in a statement. “I have a bold agenda to support and empower parents—from the classroom to the locker room to the smartphone. We must empower parents and give them a choice, so that every child has a chance.”

According to his campaign, Mr. Scott’s plan will “restore American childhood and let girls and boys be girls and boys, not guinea pigs.” It will also save Title IX and women’s sports by ensuring only biological boys or men can compete against other biological boys or men and vice versa, and “stand with crisis pregnancy centers” and ensure the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutes “far-left threats and vandalism” on crisis pregnancy centers.

‘Replace Indoctrination With Education’

The plan would also ensure and defend parents’ right to know what their child is hearing and reading in school, allow parents to opt out of “propaganda that attacks their values and religious liberty,” “break the back of the teachers’ unions and enact nationwide school choice,” and “replace indoctrination with education.”

“ABC, not C.R.T.” the press release states, referencing the controversial critical race theory teachings.

Additionally, the new plan would grant parents more choice to decide which form of education—whether it’s public school, private school, charter school, STEM school, or homeschool—is best for their child.

It would also “end the attacks on excellence by rejecting the false notions of ‘equity’ and the Left’s attacks on honors classes,” according to his campaign.

Finally, the plan would bolster protections for children online, including stopping Big Tech companies from “stealing kids’ attention spans,” and preventing online predators from stealing their future.

It would also prevent China from stealing their privacy, according to Mr. Scott, whose campaign is focused heavily on defeating the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He would require country-of-origin labeling on every app used by children online, so parents are fully informed, and ensure Big Tech companies are doing more to ensure children’s safety online.

Debate Stage ‘Chaos’

Speaking at an event in Lowcountry, South Carolina, on Monday, Mr. Scott said his presidential campaign is “focused on restoring hope, creating opportunities, and protecting the America we all love,” WCIV reported.

Touching on the threats posed by the Chinese communist regime, the senator told audience members, “If we are going to protect America, we need a president who will stand toe-to-toe with President Xi in China and bring home our jobs.”

Elsewhere, Mr. Scott referenced last week’s debate, which was largely dominated by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Vice President Mike Pence.

“Part of the chaos of the debate stage is there were lots of opportunities for me to jump into the food fight, but I don’t think America benefits from a food fight,” Mr. Scott said.

Mr. Scott is currently polling in seventh place behind leading contenders former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Mr. Ramaswamy as well as Mr. Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.