Meta ordered to pay $567 million in US court for child protection failures

Meta Platforms has been ordered by a court in New Mexico to pay $567 million into youth mental health funds and to alter the functionality of its social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, for young users. The ruling follows a series of lawsuits across the United States targeting social media companies for their alleged harm to children and adolescents.

The court in Santa Fe determined that Meta's platforms constituted a "public nuisance," siding with prosecutors who accused the company of designing addictive products and failing to shield minors from sexual exploitation. This legal finding is significant, as the "public nuisance" claim has been used in various litigation concerning public health and safety, including cases involving tobacco, opioids, and climate change.

This judgment comes just five months after a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for violating consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users. The ongoing wave of litigation highlights a growing concern among states, communities, and families regarding the impact of social media on young people's well-being.

Meta is obligated to implement several protective measures for its younger users. These include a monthly usage limit for Facebook and Instagram, restrictions on notifications, stricter controls on adult-to-minor contact, safety precautions for AI chatbots, and enhanced review of reports concerning child sexual abuse. Meta has stated its intention to appeal the court's decision.