    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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.

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    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.
    DONALD J. TRUMP