Virginia Bill Aims to Bolster AI Safety Education in Schools

Legislation would update internet safety curriculum to include instruction on AI-generated content and risks.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Virginia lawmakers have introduced a bill that would update the state's current internet safety education requirements for public schools to include instruction on artificial intelligence risks and content. The bill, sponsored by Del. Alex Askew, D-Virginia Beach, would equip students with the skills to recognize AI-generated material and the potential harms of overreliance on AI algorithms.

Why it matters

As AI technology becomes more advanced and prevalent, there are growing concerns about the impact on adolescent development and the ability of students to discern fact from fiction online. This legislation aims to proactively address these emerging threats by strengthening digital literacy and critical thinking skills related to AI.

The details

House Bill 171 would expand Virginia's existing internet safety policy to include education on online scams, misinformation, and content generated by artificial intelligence. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin previously issued an executive order providing guidelines for AI integration in education, but advocates argue more specific instruction is needed to equip students. Representatives from the Virginia PTA and Virginia Education Association testified in support of the bill, emphasizing the importance of helping students recognize AI-generated material and the risks of over-relying on AI in academic settings.

  • In 2024, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 30 to provide guidelines for AI integration in education.
  • House Bill 171 was introduced in the Virginia General Assembly in February 2026.

The players

Del. Alex Askew

A Democratic state delegate from Virginia Beach who introduced House Bill 171 to update internet safety education requirements.

Meg Gruber

A lobbyist for the Virginia Education Association who testified in support of the bill, emphasizing the need to help students differentiate AI-generated content.

Meghan Puglia

An associate professor of neurology at the University of Virginia who expressed concerns about the potential impact of AI on adolescent cognitive development and learning.

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What they’re saying

“With these emerging threats, we need to continue to teach our kids to be safe online from harm and the more specific these algorithms get, the more potential harm they can face.”

— Del. Alex Askew

“It's getting to the point that unless you take the time to really do some deep dives, you can't, no matter whether you trust the person who shared it or not, you can't necessarily trust that it's accurate, that it isn't AI generated.”

— Meg Gruber, VEA Lobbyist

“We have to have a moderate amount of hardship and challenge to overcome in order to actually learn. So when AI takes that away, there's a big concern for, you know, how does that impact cognitive development, learning, creativity, certainly.”

— Meghan Puglia, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Virginia

What’s next

The bill has passed the Virginia House with bipartisan support and has been referred to the Senate Education and Health Committee for further deliberation.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to proactively address the growing risks of AI-generated content and its potential impact on student learning and development. By strengthening digital literacy and critical thinking skills related to AI, Virginia hopes to empower students to navigate the online world more safely and effectively.