Meta hit with half-billion fine, compared by judge to polluting factory. Its stock fell half a percent
The total amount Meta is responsible for — $942 million — is a small fraction of of its annual profit, which was about $60 billion in 2025.
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, to pay a half-billion dollar fine for harms caused to young people on its platforms. Judge Bryan Biedscheid ruled that $420 million of the sum will fund treatment services for young people, while the remaining $147 million will be allocated to prevention, awareness, and screening services over the next five years.
This penalty is in addition to $375 million in civil penalties imposed in March after a jury found Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed knowledge of child sexual exploitation. The total amount Meta is responsible for, $942 million, is a small fraction of its annual profit of about $60 billion in 2025. Investors reacted to the ruling with a minor drop in Meta's stock by less than half a percent.
Meta vowed to appeal the decision, stating they work to keep people safe on their platforms and remain confident in their record of protecting teens online. The court ordered Meta to implement changes, such as displaying banner screens explaining protection features and tools to address inappropriate comments, as well as partnering with schools or a child safety organization to create a reporting portal for school staff to flag users who may be under 13.
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