Meta Ordered to Pay $942 Million Over Child Safety Failures in New Mexico

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $942 million to address harm caused to children on its platforms. The ruling combines a $375 million fine previously approved by a jury in March with an additional $567 million ordered by Judge Bryan Biedscheid for treatment services and platform safety changes, according to Business Insider.

The court directed the $567 million payment into an abatement fund. Judge Biedscheid specified that $420 million of those funds must be allocated toward treatment services for affected youth, Business Insider reports.

The legal action follows a March jury finding that Meta was liable for failing to protect children on its social media platforms. The current ruling expands the penalties from a financial fine to a broader mandate for operational changes within the state of New Mexico.

Mandated Platform Changes for New Mexico Minors

Beyond the financial penalties, Judge Biedscheid ordered Meta to implement specific safety restrictions for users under 18 located in New Mexico. These mandates target screen time, notification patterns, and social validation metrics, according to Business Insider.

• Usage Limits: Users under 18 in New Mexico are limited to a combined total of 90 hours per month across Facebook and Instagram.
• Notification Restrictions: Meta must disable most push notifications for minors during school hours and overnight.
• Visibility Settings: “Like” counts must be hidden by default for minors unless a parent or guardian grants permission to show them.
• Verification: The company is required to strengthen age verification processes for users in the state.

Legal Precedent and State Position

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez characterized the ruling as a victory for families and a deterrent against technology companies profiting from practices that endanger young people. In a statement following the decision, Torrez described the ruling as a blueprint for other jurisdictions.

“Now other states, and other countries confronting the same crisis, have a roadmap they can follow,”

Raul Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General

Torrez stated that the case was focused on ensuring one of the world’s largest technology companies faces consequences for practices that endanger youth, according to Business Insider.

Meta Response and Appeal

Meta has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, stating that it disagrees with the court’s decision. A company spokesperson told Business Insider that Meta remains confident in its record of protecting teenagers online.

“We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and have been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors and harmful content,”

Meta spokesperson via Business Insider

The company further asserted that it will defend itself against claims that misrepresent the facts regarding its safety protocols, according to the statement provided to Business Insider.