Meta Platforms is heading into a New Mexico courtroom where state authorities claim Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep young users engaged while failing to protect them from harm. The lawsuit seeks mandatory age verification, limits on autoplay and infinite scroll, and algorithmic adjustments specifically for minors.

In March, a jury found Meta misrepresented its platforms’ safety for underage users and awarded $375 million in damages. The state is pressing the court to enforce measures that could alter fundamental features of the social apps, potentially increasing compliance costs and affecting engagement metrics.

A Pulitzer Prize–winning investigation exposed how Meta’s AI chatbots knowingly exposed children to harmful content and how fraudulent ads generated billions in revenue. The findings have amplified concerns over the company’s oversight practices and may spur intensified regulatory and legal scrutiny.