First Lady Melania Trump Announces Be Best Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC — Melania Trump said Monday she will spend the remainder of her time as first lady working on a multi-pronged effort to improve the well-being in children. Called "Be Best," it focuses on childhood well-being, social media and opioid abuse.

"As a mother and as first lady, it concerns me that in today's fast-paced and ever-connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions and often times turn to forms of destructive or addictive behavior such as bullying, drug addiction or even suicide," the first lady said in prepared remarks.

"I feel strongly that as adults, we can and should 'be best' at educating our children about the importance of a healthy and balanced life," Mrs. Trump said.

The first lady provided few specifics about the Be Best initiative, but said the public awareness campaign will encourage parents and other adults to teach children how to be good citizens by being kind, refraining from bullying on social media and elsewhere, and staying away from drugs.

"If we truly listen to what our kids have to say, whether it be their concerns or ideas, adults can provide them the support and tools they need to grow up to be happy and productive adults who contribute positively to society and their global communities," Mrs. Trump said.

Mrs. Trump announced her signature cause after 16 months of traveling the country to meet with and read to children. She recently turned the White House Blue Room into a mock classroom and invited middle school students to share their hopes and dreams for the future.

The first lady also traveled to West Virginia and Ohio to learn more about the problems of babies born addicted to opioids, the topic of a White House roundtable discussion last fall.

Among the special guests invited to the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden was a Phoenix-area eighth grader, Kalani Goldberg, who confronted bullies in an emotional video that gained traction worldwide. In the video, the 13-year-old attached adhesive-backed notes to her clothing that telegraphed some of the mean things kids said about her at school.

"Thank you, Kalani, for being brave enough to share your experience and use your voice to bring positive change," the first lady said.

See Also: Teen Tells Bullies In Video: 'Every Day I Wear Your Words'

In the days before the November 2016 general election, Mrs. Trump pledged to make cyberbullying her signature cause. This spring, she organized a White House conference with tech company representatives to come up with ways to curb cyberbullying, which she called "evil."

President Trump has used Twitter to disparage his critics, and Mrs. Trump acknowledged at the time that "people are skeptical of me discussing this topic."

"I have been criticized for my commitment to tackling this issue, and I know that will continue. But it will not stop me for doing what I know is right," she said in opening remarks at the meeting with social media executives. "We have to find a better way to talk to each other, to disagree with each other, to respect each other."

At Monday's news conference, Mrs. Trump said social media can be used by children with both positive and negative consequences.

"I do believe that children should be both seen and heard, and it is our responsibility as adults to educate and remind them that when they are using their voices — whether verbally or online — they must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion," she said.

At the conclusion of the news conference, President Trump joined his wife at the podium and signed a proclamation declaring May 7 as "Be Best Day." He said the United States is "blessed to have a first lady so devoted to children."

"Everywhere she has gone, Americans have been touched by her sincerity, moved by her grace and lifted by her love," the president said. "Today, we pledge to be the best for our families, the best for our communities and the best for our nation."

President and Mrs. Trump have a 12-year-old son, Barron.

File photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images News/Getty Images