First Lady Melania Trump has called upon adults to help their children develop “positive habits with social media.” Being that her husband is notoriously reviled for his “presidential” Twitter fingers, however, critics across the internet are less than receptive.
On Monday, speaking out for the first time about the Feb. 14 Parkland, Florida, shooting, Trump delivered her remarks at a luncheon for spouses of U.S. governors at the White House, according to the Hill.
“As I have said before, it is important that as adults we take the lead and responsibility in helping our children manage the many issues they’re facing today,” Trump said. “This means encouraging positive habits on social media and technology. Even limiting time online and understanding the content they are exposed to on a daily basis.”
Melania Trump says adults should encourage children to have “positive habits with social media” https://t.co/Z871n9BuaT
— Deena Zaru Pettiford 👩🏻💻 (@Deena_Zaru) February 26, 2018
The first lady’s call to action wasn’t bad advice, especially considering how alleged Parkland shooter, Nikolas Cruz, avidly posted imagery containing weapons or violence on Instagram. However, many found her suggestions—to help kids build these positive habits, curbing media absorption, and limiting screen time—to be a bit misplaced. Perhaps Trump should’ve also addressed adults, or one specific adult, who has a problem doing the same.
https://twitter.com/espiers/status/968272182194458624
Adults should also encourage other adults to have positive habits with social media. https://t.co/d9csttei97
— Eugene Scott (@Eugene_Scott) February 26, 2018
First Lady Melania Trump called for "positive" social media habits but didn't address her husband’s hostile tweets https://t.co/SYyYhUw9RB pic.twitter.com/btbichfIzl
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 26, 2018
So is Barron barred from seeing his father’s bullying habits on twitter? Inquiring minds want to know. https://t.co/krnN0r9ahz
— Linda Ajello (@mamajello) February 27, 2018
File this next to Bristol Palin's abstinence PSA.
— Erin O'Brien (@erin__obrien) February 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/SharonLaurel/status/968288808033832963
https://twitter.com/M_G_Stone/status/968222022164795392
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) February 26, 2018
Trump: "wE MusT enCOuraGe PosITive soCIaL meDiA HaBIts." https://t.co/p8YhoGlHGD
— put your posy down! (dm29) ♿🚷✏️ (@judacris) February 27, 2018
Girl, who is "we"? pic.twitter.com/A7PKMguaQ5
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) February 26, 2018
According to the Hill, President Trump‘s Twitter habits became a point of contention earlier in the day during his meetings with the country’s governors. Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee had told the president he rejected the proposal to arm teachers, and suggested, “we need a little less tweeting here, a little more listening.” President Trump didn’t respond to the comment.
If it’s any consolation, by 8 p.m. ET on Monday, President Trump had gone a full, rare 48 hours without tweeting anything original, only retweeting four tweets during the two days. However, that lucky streak was broken early this morning by a string of tweets quoting various Fox News guests, before sending this final message:
WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2018
At least we can’t say the first lady isn’t trying, eh?