Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico for teen mental health fund

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to contribute $567 million to a teen mental health fund and alter its platforms for young users, after determining the corporation is accountable for harming children's well-being. Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe ruled that Meta had established a public nuisance in New Mexico, aligning with Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat.

The case was brought forth due to the social media company allegedly designing products to addict young users and neglecting to safeguard them from sexual exploitation on its platforms. This decision follows a previous phase in the case, where Meta was ordered to pay $375 million by a New Mexico jury, after finding it had misrepresented the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users.

The ruling has garnered attention as the number of lawsuits accusing social media companies of harming young users continues to rise. Over 40 states and more than 1,300 school districts have brought public nuisance lawsuits against social media companies, demanding damages and court orders mandating changes to their products and practices.