Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico for teen mental health fund
Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe ruled the company had created a public nuisance in New Mexico, siding with Attorney General Raul Torrez, a Democrat. Torrez had accused the social media company of designing products to addict young users and failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.
A New Mexico state court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund and alter its platform's design for young users, deeming the company responsible for harming children's well-being. Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe found Meta had created a public nuisance, siding with Attorney General Raul Torrez. The ruling follows a $375 million jury award for violations of consumer protection laws.
This case has been closely watched as more lawsuits accuse social media companies of negatively impacting young users. Over 40 states and 1,300 school districts have filed similar public nuisance lawsuits against these companies, demanding changes to their products and practices. Judge Biedscheid ordered Meta to implement safety measures such as monthly usage limits, restricted notifications, tighter controls on adult-minor interactions, and enhanced safeguards for AI chatbots, all to be enforced for five years.
The company plans to appeal the ruling, expressing confidence in its efforts to protect teens online.
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