New Mexico Jury Orders Meta to Pay $375 Million Over Child Safety
A New Mexico state jury has ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties, finding the social media giant liable for prioritizing profits over the safety of children. The verdict follows a seven-week trial where prosecutors argued that the company knowingly ignored internal warnings about the harm its platforms inflict on minors.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez hailed the ruling as a historic victory, accusing Meta of misleading parents and facilitating child exploitation on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Torrez intends to pursue further financial penalties and court-mandated design changes during the next phase of litigation. Josh Golin, executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, described the verdict as long-awaited validation that the company’s business model inherently risks the wellbeing of its youngest users.
Meta has vowed to appeal the decision, maintaining that it remains committed to protecting teens and identifying bad actors. The company currently faces thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide, with plaintiffs seeking damages in the tens of billions of dollars. While advocates push for federal intervention through the Kids Online Safety Act, some civil rights groups warn that the proposed legislation could inadvertently stifle free expression and access to vital health information.
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