New Mexico Wins Case Against Meta Over Youth Safety
Why this is here: The $375 million awarded in the New Mexico case marks the first time a social media company has been held liable by a state for endangering children, potentially shifting legal strategies in similar cases.
The state of New Mexico won a civil case against Meta, finding the company liable for endangering young users on its platforms. A jury in Santa Fe ruled Meta failed to protect minors, awarding $375 million in damages. New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raul Torrez, filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging Meta exposed children to harmful content and predators.
Meta plans to appeal the decision, stating it actively works to protect users. Torrez celebrated the ruling as a victory for parents concerned about online safety. The lawsuit bypassed legal protections typically shielding social media companies from liability for user-generated content.
A similar case is ongoing in Los Angeles. That case accuses Meta and Google of designing apps to maximize youth engagement, contributing to mental health issues. The New Mexico case establishes a precedent for future litigation against tech companies.