In a landmark decision, a New Mexico court has ruled that Meta must pay a total of $942 million for failing to protect young users on its platforms. This historic ruling comes after a lengthy trial that exposed the company’s alleged role in facilitating child exploitation and psychological harm through its social media apps.
The court’s decision represents a significant escalation in the legal challenges facing Meta which owns FacebookInstagramWhatsApp and Threads. The ruling not only imposes substantial financial penalties but also mandates sweeping changes to how these platforms operate for underage users.
Meta Deemed a ‘Public Nuisance’ by New Mexico Court
Judge Bryan Biedscheid made a striking comparison in his ruling, likening Meta’s platforms to factories that produce harmful content as their pollution. He argued that just as industrial pollution affects public health, Meta’s platforms emit psychological harm and sexual exploitation that migrates beyond the digital realm into the real world.
The court’s decision follows an earlier verdict in March, when a jury found Meta liable for violating New Mexico’s consumer protection laws. That ruling resulted in a $375 million fine. The recent decision adds another $567 million penalty, bringing the total to $942 million.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez welcomed the ruling, stating that it sets a precedent for other states and countries grappling with similar issues. He described the decision as a blueprint for holding social media companies accountable for their impact on young users.
Mandated Changes to Protect Young Users
The court has ordered Meta to implement several measures aimed at enhancing youth safety on its platforms. These include:
- Private-by-default settings for users under 18 on Instagram
- Limited friend connections for underage Facebook users, restricted to other minors by default
- Restricted search visibility for private accounts of underage users
- Parental consent requirements for changing default settings
- Prohibited account recommendations for users under 18
- Message restrictions preventing adults from contacting minors
- Notification limits during school hours and nighttime
- Hidden like counts for underage users
- Mandatory usage limits of 90 hours per month across Facebook and Instagram
- Daily safety reminders for underage users
Additionally, Meta must establish a fund to support youth internet safety training for educators and healthcare professionals, as well as community health centers. The court did not, however, order changes to Meta’s recommendation algorithms, despite arguments that they create harmful feedback loops.
Meta’s Response and Future Implications
Meta has announced plans to appeal the ruling. In a statement posted on X by company spokesperson Andy Stone Meta expressed disagreement with the decision, asserting that it works diligently to keep users safe and has been transparent about the challenges of content moderation.
The company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg has faced increasing legal scrutiny over child safety issues. Despite posting $61 billion in revenue from April to, representing a 28% increase from the previous year, Meta continues to confront significant regulatory challenges.
This ruling comes as another major trial against Meta is set to begin in California, where nearly three dozen state attorneys general are suing the company for alleged violations of child privacy laws. The New Mexico case is being closely watched as a potential model for future legal actions against social media companies.
The decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about social media’s impact on youth mental health and safety. As legal challenges mount, the industry faces growing pressure to implement more robust protections for its youngest users.
