Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico for teen mental health fund
META•New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567 million
A New Mexico state court ordered Meta META.O on Thursday to pay $567 million and change how its platforms function for young users in the state after finding the company is to blame for harming children's mental health.
Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe ruled the company had created a public nuisance in New Mexico, siding with the state's Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat. Torrez had accused the social media company of designing its products to addict young users and failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.
Court imposes youth-safety measures for five years
Biedscheid ordered the company to impose a range of youth-safety measures, including monthly limits on teens' use of Facebook and Instagram, restrictions on notifications, tighter controls on adult contact with minors, safeguards for AI chatbots, and enhanced review of child sexual abuse reports, under a $567 million decree that will remain in place for five years.
Meta said it will appeal the ruling and that it has been working to identify and remove harmful content from its platforms.
"We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts," Meta said in a statement.
Second phase of New Mexico lawsuit followed jury verdict
The ruling came in the second phase of New Mexico's lawsuit. A jury in March had found Meta violated the state’s consumer protection law by misrepresenting the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users. It ordered the company to pay in damages.
