A New Mexico state court has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund after finding that the company contributed to harm suffered by children through its social media platforms.
The ruling follows an earlier $375 million judgment against Meta, bringing the company's total liability in the case to $942 million. The lawsuit was filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who alleged that Facebook and Instagram exposed children to harmful content and failed to adequately protect young users.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund.
The latest order brings Meta's total liability in the case to $942 million, including an earlier $375 million judgment.
The court found Meta liable for creating a public nuisance that harmed children under New Mexico law.
The court ordered Meta to implement additional child safety measures on Facebook and Instagram.
Meta has announced it will appeal the ruling.
District Judge Bryan Biedscheid ruled that Meta created a public nuisance by harming children's wellbeing. In addition to the monetary payment, the court ordered the company to implement stronger youth safety measures on Facebook and Instagram, including improved age protections, restrictions on interactions involving minors, and other safeguards designed to reduce risks to children.
Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and intends to appeal, maintaining that it has invested heavily in tools and features designed to protect teenagers online.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The ruling is one of the largest court judgments against a social media company over child safety and online wellbeing. It could influence future litigation and regulatory efforts in the United States and other countries, while increasing pressure on technology companies to strengthen protections for children using social media platforms.
