Meta has been ordered to pay a total of $942 million after a New Mexico judge imposed an additional $567 million penalty in a landmark child safety lawsuit, significantly expanding one of the most consequential legal judgments the company has faced over the impact of its social media platforms on young users.
The latest ruling follows an earlier $375 million civil penalty issued in the same case, bringing the combined financial liability close to $1 billion. The lawsuit accused the company of failing to adequately protect children using Facebook and Instagram and of exposing minors to serious online risks, including harmful content and sexual exploitation.
Court Says Harm Must Be Addressed
Judge Bryan Biedscheid ruled that Meta’s conduct amounted to a public nuisance, comparing the company’s business model to a factory whose “pollution” consisted of psychological harm and child exploitation. He ordered the additional funds to be placed into programs designed to reduce future harm and support affected young people.
According to the court, approximately $420 million from the latest award will fund treatment services for children, while the remaining money will support prevention initiatives, public awareness campaigns and mental health screening programs.
Platform Changes Also Required
The judgment extends beyond financial penalties. The court ordered Meta to introduce a series of measures intended to improve child safety across its platforms.
Among the required changes are stronger age-verification systems, additional protections for teenage users, improved reporting tools for schools, deletion of data collected from users under 13 where required, and regular compliance reports to demonstrate progress. Other restrictions include limits on notifications and certain engagement features for younger users.
Meta Plans to Appeal
Meta rejected the ruling and confirmed it intends to challenge the decision.
The company said it disagrees with the court’s conclusions while maintaining that it has invested heavily in tools designed to protect young people across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. Meta has consistently argued that it continues developing safety features for teens and families.
Part of a Broader Legal Battle
The New Mexico case is one of several lawsuits examining whether major technology companies have done enough to protect children online. Courts and regulators across the United States have increasingly scrutinized social media platforms over allegations that their products contribute to mental health problems, expose minors to inappropriate content and fail to prevent exploitation.
Legal challenges involving Meta continue in multiple jurisdictions, and the outcome of the New Mexico case could influence similar lawsuits now moving through US courts.
Why the Decision Matters
The ruling represents one of the largest financial penalties ever imposed on a social media company in a child safety case. Beyond the nearly $1 billion award, the court’s order requires operational changes that could shape how technology companies design platforms for younger users.
With Meta expected to appeal, the legal dispute is likely to continue, but the judgment adds momentum to broader efforts by regulators and courts to hold social media companies accountable for the safety of children using their services.
