Meta Faces Major Blow in Child Safety Lawsuit

WAM/APP

Washington: Meta has been ordered to contribute $567 million to a teen mental health fund and make changes to its platforms following a landmark ruling in New Mexico over allegations that its services harmed young users.

A New Mexico state court ruled that the company created a public nuisance by designing platforms that encouraged excessive use among teenagers while failing to adequately protect children online.

Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe issued the order after siding with New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who accused Meta of using features that could make young users dependent on its platforms and misleading the public about online safety.

Under the court’s decision, $420 million of the penalty will be allocated for youth mental health treatment services. The remaining funds will support awareness campaigns, prevention programs, screening initiatives and related efforts over a five-year period.

The court has also directed Meta to provide progress reports twice a year detailing its compliance with the ordered measures.

The ruling follows an earlier phase of the case in which a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding the company had violated consumer protection laws related to claims about the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users.

The decision adds to growing legal pressure on major social media companies over concerns about the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health and online safety.