As New Mexico jury finds Meta platforms harm children, social media firms await more legal decisions

In March 2026, a New Mexico jury found that Meta platforms harmed children. The trial, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, centered on accusations that the social media conglomerate misled users about the safety of its platforms for children. Attorneys Linda Singer, representing the plaintiff, and Kevin Huff, representing Meta, presented closing arguments before Chief Judge Bryan Biedscheid. The verdict comes as social media firms face increasing legal scrutiny and await further decisions regarding the impact of their platforms on young users. This case is one of many examining the potential harm social media companies may cause to children.

A US jury in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding the company liable for harming children's mental health and exposing them to sexual exploitation. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday after a six-week trial, marks the first time a US state has successfully sued Meta over child safety issues. New Mexico authorities accused Meta of prioritizing profits over safety and violating the state's Unfair Practices Act. The lawsuit, initiated by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez in 2023, stemmed from an undercover operation revealing Meta's platforms' vulnerabilities to underage users. Meta, parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, plans to appeal the decision.

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users about the safety of its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, for children. The jury found Meta liable for endangering children by exposing them to sexually explicit material and contact with sexual predators, violating the state's Unfair Practices Act. The verdict marks the first time a state has successfully sued Meta over child safety issues. The trial included internal Meta documents and testimony from a former employee who revealed the company's awareness of child predators on its platforms and the prevalence of sexualized content served to underage users. Meta disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal, citing its efforts to protect teens online.

A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for endangering children on its platforms, ordering the social media giant to pay US$375 million in damages. The verdict, reached after a six-week trial in Santa Fe, found Meta failed to protect minors from sexual abuse, online solicitation, and human trafficking on Facebook and Instagram. New Mexico's Attorney General accused Meta of prioritizing profits over child safety, alleging the company disregarded internal warnings and misled the public. The state had sought US$2.2 billion in damages. Meta plans to challenge the decision, which is among the first jury verdicts concerning social media platforms and child safety.

A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for violating the state's consumer protection laws due to the harm its social media platforms cause to children's mental health and safety. The verdict, announced on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, concluded a trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Meta was accused of misleading users about the safety of its platforms for children. The state argued that Meta's platforms are detrimental to children's well-being. As a result of the verdict, Meta has been ordered to pay $375 million in damages to the state of New Mexico. The trial included the presentation of evidence such as a deposition from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, a jury has begun deliberations in a landmark trial against Meta, the parent company of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The trial centers on accusations that Meta misled users regarding the safety of its platforms for children. The plaintiffs argue that Meta failed to adequately protect young users from harmful content and interactions. Evidence presented included a recorded deposition of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Closing arguments were delivered on Monday, March 23, 2026, after which the jury began considering the evidence to determine if Meta is liable for the alleged harm. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for social media regulation and child safety online.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, a high-stakes trial is underway examining Meta's knowledge of the risks its social media platforms pose to children. State prosecutors allege Meta failed to disclose dangers like mental health problems and sexual exploitation, while Meta claims to have safeguards in place but acknowledges some harmful content slips through. The trial, which began February 9, 2026, is approaching its seventh week, with jurors yet to deliberate. If Meta is found to have violated New Mexico's consumer protection laws, sanctions could reach billions of dollars. This case is one of the first in a wave of lawsuits against Meta and could challenge legal protections for tech companies. A second phase, potentially in May, will determine if Meta created a public nuisance and should fund programs to address related issues.