WEB DESK: A court in New Mexico has mandated Meta to pay $567 million into a fund dedicated to teen mental health and to overhaul its platform features for younger users. The decision follows findings that the social media giant contributed to harming the well-being of children.
Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe ruled that Meta had created a public nuisance in the state, aligning with the stance of Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who accused the company of designing addictive products aimed at children and neglecting to prevent sexual exploitation on its platforms.
This decision comes five months after a previous ruling where a jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for violating consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety of Facebook and Instagram for minors.
The case has garnered widespread attention amid a surge in legal actions against social media firms, alleging harm to young users. Numerous lawsuits have been filed by states, local governments, and school districts seeking damages and mandates to modify platform practices.
Biedscheid’s order includes implementing safety measures such as monthly usage caps for teens on Facebook and Instagram, restrictions on notifications, stricter controls on adult interactions with minors, safeguards for AI chatbots, and improved review processes for reports of child sexual abuse. These measures will be enforced for five years.
Meta has announced plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to remove harmful content and protect users. “We remain committed to safeguarding teens online and will contest claims that misrepresent our actions,” Meta stated.
Attorney General Torrez criticized Meta for prioritizing profits over child safety, calling this ruling a pioneering step. “This is not just about one company; it provides a framework for others,” he said, highlighting the significance of the decision.
Recent investigations revealed Meta’s AI chatbots could engage children in inappropriate conversations, including romantic or sexual topics—a concern that played a role in the court’s decision. The judge ordered Meta to prevent minors in New Mexico from engaging in such interactions with AI bots and to stop adults from using chatbots to simulate or discuss sexualized content with minors.
The case, which involved three weeks of testimony, focused on whether Meta’s platforms constituted a “public nuisance” under New Mexico law—a legal concept traditionally used against activities harming public health or safety but increasingly applied to issues like social media impacts.
Meta argued that it did not interfere with a “public right,” such as clean air or water, and that children use multiple platforms, not just Meta’s. The company also claimed that the requested changes were technologically unfeasible and could force it to withdraw from the state.
Additionally, Meta challenged the case under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally shields platforms from liability for user content. The court rejected this defense, ruling that the lawsuit targeted Meta’s platform features rather than third-party content.
While some proposed remedies were rejected to protect Meta’s First Amendment rights and avoid conflicts with Section 230, the ruling marks a significant legal precedent. It comes as Meta prepares for a federal trial next week in California over similar allegations by 29 states, which could lead to substantial damages.
Meta has warned investors that ongoing legal and regulatory challenges in the U.S. and Europe related to youth social media use could significantly impact its business and profitability.
