New Mexico: A state court in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $567 million in damages and implement significant changes to the way its social media platforms operate for young children, marking one of the most consequential legal rulings against the technology giant over child safety concerns.
The court found that Meta failed to adequately protect children from harmful content and addictive platform features that could negatively affect their mental health and emotional well-being. The ruling requires the company to introduce stronger safeguards for users under the age of 13 and redesign certain features to reduce the risk of excessive social media use.
According to the court, the existing design of Meta's platforms encouraged prolonged engagement among young users, exposing them to harmful content and increasing the risk of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. The judgment stated that technology companies have a responsibility to ensure their products do not place children at unnecessary risk.
In addition to the financial penalty, the court directed Meta to strengthen age-verification systems, improve parental control tools and increase transparency regarding the algorithms that recommend content to younger users. The company has also been instructed to make changes that prioritise child safety over user engagement.
Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and is reviewing its legal options, including a possible appeal. The company maintained that it has invested billions of dollars in safety measures and continues to introduce new tools designed to protect teenagers and younger users online.
The case is part of a broader legal and regulatory push in the United States over the impact of social media on children's mental health. Several states have filed lawsuits against major technology companies, alleging that their platforms use addictive design features that encourage excessive use among minors while failing to provide adequate safeguards.
Child safety advocates welcomed the decision, saying it sends a strong message that technology companies must be held accountable for the impact of their products on young users. They argued that stronger oversight and platform reforms are essential to reduce online risks for children.
Legal experts believe the ruling could influence similar cases across the United States and add pressure on social media companies to redesign features that affect children's online experiences. If upheld, the judgment may lead to wider changes in how digital platforms approach child safety, age verification and mental health protections.
Meta is expected to challenge the verdict in a higher court, meaning the final outcome of the case could take time as the legal process continues.
