A New Mexico judge ordered new child safeguards for Meta. Advocates hope other courts follow

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to implement new child safety measures on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, fining the company $567 million. The ruling, stemming from a lawsuit by the state of New Mexico, mandates changes such as a 90-hour monthly time limit for users under 18, AI chatbot restrictions, and mandatory warnings. These measures are intended to address the psychological harm social media can inflict on children, which the judge likened to pollution. While Meta plans to appeal and the measures only apply to New Mexico users, advocates hope this ruling sets a precedent for other courts. Challenges remain regarding the implementation and effectiveness of age verification and other ordered safeguards.

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million and implement changes to its platforms to address harm to young users' mental health. This ruling follows a jury's March finding that Meta violated the state's consumer protection law by misrepresenting the safety of its platforms for youth. The initial jury award was $375 million, with the judge adding to the total in this second phase of the trial. The funds will be allocated to treatment services, awareness, prevention, and screening for young people over five years. The judge also mandated changes to Meta's platforms, including informational screens about protection features and best practices. Meta has stated it will appeal the decision.

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to pay $567 million for mental health harm to children stemming from its platforms. This ruling is part of the second phase of a trial where Meta was previously found liable for knowingly harming children's mental health and concealing information about child sexual exploitation. The majority of the payment, $420 million, will fund treatment services for young people, with the remainder allocated to awareness, prevention, and screening over five years. The judge also mandated changes to Facebook and Instagram, including clearer explanations of protection features and best practices. Meta has stated it disagrees with the ruling and intends to appeal.

A trial is underway in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the state is suing Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez alleges that Meta's platforms are designed to addict young users and fail to protect children from sexual exploitation, creating a "public nuisance" under state law. If the judge finds Meta's platforms constitute a public nuisance, it could lead to significant operational changes for the social media giant. Meta has warned that such orders might compel them to leave New Mexico. This case is significant as it represents a growing trend of legal challenges by states and municipalities seeking to regulate social media companies and address alleged harms to young users.