Meta ordered to pay $567m in US child safety ruling
A New Mexico state court has ordered Meta 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.
A New Mexico state court has ruled Meta must pay $567 million and alter its platform features for younger users following accusations of harming their mental well-being. Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe deemed the company responsible for creating a public nuisance in New Mexico, backing Attorney General Raúl Torrez. Torrez had alleged Meta designed its products to addict young users and neglect their safety from sexual exploitation.
The judge mandated a series of youth-safety measures, such as monthly usage limits for teens on Facebook and Instagram, notification restrictions, tighter controls on interactions between adults and minors, enhanced AI chatbot safeguards, and tighter scrutiny of child sexual abuse reports, all under the decree for five years. The ruling marks the second phase of New Mexico's lawsuit, which had earlier found Meta liable for misrepresenting the safety of its platforms for young users in March.
The company maintained its commitment to teen online safety, vowing to continue its defenses. This decision is significant as other parties nationwide investigate similar claims to compel industry-wide alterations. The European Commission recently raised concerns over Meta's handling of minors under 13 on Instagram and Facebook, alleging the company failed to adequately prevent such access and mitigate associated risks.
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