A New Mexico jury has determined that Meta deliberately harmed children’s mental well-being and concealed information regarding child sexual exploitation on its social media platforms. The groundbreaking ruling follows a lengthy trial, where jurors supported state prosecutors’ claims that Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, favored profits over safety.
The jury found Meta guilty of violating aspects of the state’s Unfair Practices Act by concealing knowledge about the risks of child sexual exploitation and the negative effects on children’s mental health. They also concluded that Meta engaged in unfair trade practices that exploited the vulnerabilities and lack of experience of children. The jury identified numerous violations, each contributing to a penalty totaling $375 million US.
In response to the verdict, a Meta spokesperson expressed disagreement and announced plans to appeal, emphasizing the company’s efforts to ensure platform safety while acknowledging the challenges of identifying and removing harmful content and bad actors.
This case in New Mexico is at the forefront of a series of legal actions involving social media companies and their impact on children. The trial commenced in February as one of the initial lawsuits against Meta, coinciding with calls from school districts and lawmakers for stricter regulations on smartphone usage in educational settings.
Simultaneously, a federal court in California is deliberating a similar case, questioning Meta and YouTube’s liability for harm caused to children on their platforms. This trial is part of three pivotal court cases that could influence numerous future litigations.
Furthermore, over 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, alleging that the company’s Instagram and Facebook features are contributing to a mental health crisis among young individuals by promoting addictive behaviors.
The lawsuit in New Mexico, initiated by Attorney General Raul Torrez in 2023, also accuses Meta of downplaying the risks of social media addiction. While Meta denies the existence of social media addiction, trial executives acknowledged concerns regarding excessive usage and emphasized their intention to provide a positive user experience on their platforms.
The trial’s second phase, scheduled for potential proceedings in May before a judge without a jury, will determine if Meta created a public nuisance and may be required to implement changes and provide remedies. During the trial, evidence was presented, including internal correspondence from Meta, reports related to child safety, testimonies from Meta executives and whistleblowers, and accounts from tech-safety consultants and psychiatric experts.
Overall, the New Mexico trial shed light on the impact of social media on children and emphasized the responsibility of tech companies in safeguarding young users from harmful content and addictive behaviors.