Melania Trump is ramping up her efforts to combat cyberbullying. During a lunch with governors’ spouses, President Donald Trump’s wife urged her guests to spread her “Be Best” initiative in their respective home states, Fox News reported.
“I know the many issues associated with online safety will be hard to stop, but there is a need now more than ever to teach our children healthy behavior to secure a safer future for all of them, Melania Trump said during lunch with the governors’ spouses on Monday held at the White House Blue Room.
The FLOTUS’ “Be Best” initiative advocates against cyberbullying. Melania Trump explained to the audience that she met singer and influencer Billy Ray Cyrus last November, who then introduced her to the family of sixteen-year-old Channing Smith who committed suicide last year due to the cyberbullying of his classmates.
Smith was outed by his classmates as gay on social media, according to Time. The bullies even posted intimate messages between Smith and another boy. At that time, Smith was not yet public about his sexuality.
“He was so ashamed and felt so hopeless that Channing committed suicide,” Melania Trump said. “Since their tragic loss, the Smith family has been using their grief to partner with influencers such as Billy Ray Cyrus to educate people about the dangers of cyber assault.”
Cyrus performed at Channing Smith’s memorial service. As a music artist, he is known for his 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart.”
“I would like to take this time to ask that you and your spouses consider addressing this issue in your own home states so that no family will have to suffer from a loss like the Smiths,” the FLOTUS urged her audience after narrating the tragedy that befell the Smith family.
The First Lady likewise asked the governors’ spouses to “promote values of encouragement, kindness, compassion, and respect.”
Melania Trump admitted that she is aware that some people are questioning her commitment to fighting online bullying due to President Donald Trump’s social media activities. However, she already moved past worrying about what her detractors might say and is now solely focused on helping children.