[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 92 (Friday, May 11, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22171-22172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10280]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 22171]]


                Proclamation 9745 of May 7, 2018

                
Be Best Day, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Be Best Day, we encourage and promote the well-being 
                of children everywhere. In an increasingly complex and 
                inter-connected world, nothing is more important than 
                raising the next generation of Americans to be healthy, 
                happy, productive, and morally responsible adults. This 
                begins with educating our children about the many 
                critical issues they must confront in our modern world 
                that affect their ability to lead balanced and 
                fulfilled lives.

                Our Nation's children deserve certain knowledge that 
                they are safe to grow, learn, and make mistakes. Adults 
                must provide them with the tools they need to make 
                positive contributions in their schools, with their 
                friends, and in their communities.

                From every corner of our great country, we hear 
                inspiring stories of Americans rising up to meet the 
                challenges of our time, many of which have an 
                especially pronounced effect on our children. On the 
                inaugural Be Best Day, we highlight two of these 
                challenges: negative social media behavior and the 
                opioid crisis.

                Children who spend large amounts of time on social 
                media are more likely to report mental health issues 
                than those who spend time on non-screen activities. 
                Technology, of course, plays a critical role in the 
                economic and social development of our country. We 
                must, however, recognize that it can also be used to 
                harm. Be Best Day reminds us to emphasize the 
                importance of using technology in positive ways.

                Additionally, opioid dependence, addiction, and abuse 
                are at a point of crisis in America today. We all share 
                a moral imperative to confront this crisis, and to help 
                those families and children affected by it. Be Best Day 
                affords an opportunity to raise awareness about the 
                importance of healthy children and pregnancies, 
                including the risks neonatal abstinence syndrome poses 
                to the long-term health of children.

                Today, on Be Best Day, let us commit ourselves to the 
                critical task of building a better future for our 
                children. We redouble our efforts to promote well-being 
                and acts of encouragement, kindness, and respect. We 
                highlight the importance of responsible use of social 
                media; and we confront the crisis of opioid misuse that 
                is robbing so many of our children of their potential.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2018, as Be 
                Best Day. I encourage Americans to take time to 
                understand the many issues children face on a daily 
                basis--both through personal interactions and through 
                social media. I encourage parents to better understand 
                the harmful effects of drug misuse on our youth, and 
                also to find opportunities to support and celebrate our 
                children. I encourage adults and parents to talk to 
                children, and to get involved in programs that help 
                educate our youth on the unique challenges related to 
                growing up in today's world.

[[Page 22172]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                second.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2018-10280
Filed 5-10-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P