Meta ordered to pay $567 million over child mental health damages in New Mexico

A state court in New Mexico has mandated Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million into a fund aimed at addressing the detrimental effects its platforms have allegedly had on children's mental health. This decision marks the second phase of a landmark lawsuit in the United States.

In March, a jury found Meta consciously harmed children's mental well-being and concealed information regarding the sexual exploitation of minors on its platforms, resulting in an initial $375 million penalty. The latest ruling increases Meta's total financial liability in this case to $942 million. According to Judge Bryan Biedscheid, approximately $420 million of the new funds will support treatment and support services for young people in New Mexico, with the remainder allocated to prevention programs, awareness campaigns, and screening services over the next five years.

This case is significant as it is the first in the U.S. where Meta has been held legally responsible for damages caused through its platforms. The lawsuit stemmed from accusations that Facebook and Instagram facilitated minors' exposure to harmful content and sexual exploitation. The court also imposed additional measures on Meta, requiring the development of more effective age verification tools, potentially using artificial intelligence, and clearer informational screens about available protections on its platforms. Furthermore, Meta must verify the age of users suspected to be under 13 and cooperate with schools and child protection organizations to report suspicious accounts.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez hailed the decision as a "victory for every parent who has worried about the effects of social media on their children and for every child who deserves to grow up in a safer online environment." However, Meta has stated it disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal, asserting its continuous investment in safety measures and claiming the accusations do not reflect its efforts to protect adolescents. The ruling adds another legal challenge for Meta, which faces numerous lawsuits across U.S. states concerning the impact of social media on children.

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o victorie pentru fiecare părinte care s-a îngrijorat de efectele rețelelor sociale asupra copiilor săi și pentru fiecare copil care merită să crească într-un mediu online mai sigur