Melania Trump’s BE BEST Campaign Takes a Cue From Clinical Psychological Science Study
A study published recently in an APS journal has helped inspire First Lady Melania Trump’s new initiative to teach children about the importance of social, emotional, and physical health.
In its May 7, 2018 announcement about the new BE BEST campaign, the White House referenced a study published in 2017 in Clinical Psychological Science showing that children who spent more time on new media between 2010-2015 were more likely to report mental health issue than those who spent time on non-screen activities such as sports and in-person socializing. Author Jean Twenge of San Diego State University and her colleagues reported tracing an uptick in depression, suicide attempts and suicide among teens during the study period to the rise of smartphone use.
Mrs. Trump announced the campaign on May 7, 2018 in the White House Rose Garden. BE BEST urges parents, teachers, and other adults to educate children about the importance of being kind and respectful, especially on the internet, and aims to provide support for children and families affected by the opioid crisis.
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