First lady says she’ll battle cyberbullying despite critics

WASHINGTON — Melania Trump pushed back against critics Tuesday, declaring her commitment to combating cyberbullying despite the hits she has endured for taking on the issue while her husband routinely goes on Twitter to berate foes and call them names.

“I am well aware that people are skeptical of me discussing this topic,” the first lady said. “I have been criticized for my commitment to tackling this issue, and I know that will continue. But it will not stop me from doing what I know is right. I am here with one goal: helping children and our next generation.”

Mrs. Trump commented as she convened executives from major online and social media companies at the White House to discuss cyberbullying and internet safety. The meeting came more than a year after she announced that cyberbullying would be her cause if her husband were elected.

The choice was immediately assailed. On Tuesday, Mrs. Trump said she’s not backing down.

The first lady said she gets many letters from children who have been bullied or who feel threatened on social media. She told the executives “I believe together we can make a real difference in encouraging positive behaviors on social media.”

Amazon, Snap, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Microsoft sent representatives, as did the Internet Association and the Family Online Safety Institute.

“She really wanted to know how we can best educate parents so that they can use the tools that companies provide to keep kids safe online,” said Stephen Balkam, CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute.