First Lady Melania Trump’s “Be Best” Initiative Targets Cyberbullying

First Lady Melania Trump’s just-announced “Be Best” initiative focuses on three issues facing children: well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse. Part of the social media use campaign includes an effort to curb cyberbullying. 

“When children learn positive online behaviors early-on, social media can be used in productive ways and can effect positive change,” Mrs. Trump said. “Children should be both seen and heard, and it is our responsibility as adults to educate and reinforce to them that when they are using their voices—whether verbally or online—they must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion.”

Last month, she invited several technology policy leaders, representing Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Snapchat, as well as several organizations such as the nonprofit Family Online Safety Institute, to a cyberbullying roundtable discussion.  At the meeting, those in attendance gave examples of what has been accomplished, such as Google’s Be Internet Awesome curriculum which teaches kids digital citizenship and safety. They also examined ongoing challenges and considered potential solutions. 

The “Be Best” initiative has been criticized by those who cite her husband’s frequent personal attacks as contributing to the rise in cyberbullying, but in her roundtable speech, Mrs. Trump said that despite the skepticism, she won’t be deterred from “doing what I know is right.” “I am here for one goal: Helping children in our next generation," she said. No matter what her husband says or does, I commend Mrs. Trump for keeping the issue of cyberbullying in the spotlight. With more attention comes more resources allocated toward a solution.