US court orders Meta to pay $800 million fund for failing to protect children

A U.S. federal court has mandated Meta Platforms to establish a new victim relief fund exceeding $567 million (approximately 804.8 billion Korean won) due to its failure in protecting minors.

The ruling, reported by The Wall Street Journal and other outlets, requires Meta to allocate the significant sum towards treating individuals harmed through its social media platforms. The fund will also support efforts in raising awareness and enhancing platform quality.

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Meta alone did not cause these problems, but the evidence shows that Meta's social media has significantly contributed to the mental health crisis experienced by the state's youth.

In addition to the financial penalty, Meta is compelled to enforce stricter safety protocols. These include limiting the time minors spend on Facebook and Instagram, disabling the default display of "likes" on posts by underage users, and clearly communicating the risks associated with platform usage to young users.

U.S. District Judge Brian Biedscheid stated that while Meta is not solely responsible for these issues, evidence indicates its social media services significantly contributed to the mental health crisis affecting adolescents in the state. The judge emphasized the widespread and complex nature of the harm caused.

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The widespread impact and complexity of the harm...