A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay a total of $942 million over harms linked to its social media platforms. This ruling comes after the court found Meta’s apps contributed to a mental health crisis among youth in the state.
Back in March 2026, Meta was fined $375 million for knowingly harming children’s mental health. The court also said Meta concealed information about child sexual exploitation on its platforms. Now, the company must pay an additional $567 million, bringing the total fine to $942 million.
The judge, Bryan Biedscheid, said Meta’s actions created a public nuisance in New Mexico. He pointed out that while Meta isn’t the only company involved, its platforms are a significant factor in the youth mental health crisis. The court clearly held Meta accountable for the damage caused to children, families, and schools.
New Rules for Meta’s Platforms
The court ordered Meta to make real changes in how it handles underage users. For example, Meta must remove Like counts and restrict push notifications for users under 18 between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The goal is to reduce pressure and negative effects on young users.
Meta also has to improve its age verification tools. This includes developing a prediction model to spot users under 13 within two years. The company must also work with schools and child safety groups to create a portal for reporting suspected underage accounts.
Most of the money in the settlement—$420 million—will go into a fund to treat individuals harmed by these platforms. This fund aims to support the mental health and well-being of affected youth in New Mexico.
Meta’s Response and Ongoing Challenges
Meta plans to appeal this ruling. A spokesperson, Andy Stone, said the company works hard to keep people safe. He claimed Meta has been transparent about the challenges of removing harmful content and remains confident in protecting teens online.
Despite the heavy fines, Meta’s stock dropped less than half a percent, closing at $589.44 after the ruling. The company faces other legal battles too, including a federal multi-district lawsuit filed in 2023 and cases from eight states, such as Tennessee.
Meta’s platforms include Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads. These apps have a huge reach, with Meta projecting a $60 billion profit in 2025. The court’s ruling could affect how Meta operates not just in New Mexico but across the country.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez called the ruling a victory for parents and children. He said it forces real changes in how Meta handles child safety online. This case shines a spotlight on the tension between social media’s power and its impact on young users’ health.
Based on
- New Mexico court orders Meta to pay additional $567M in child safety case — techcrunch.com
- Meta to pay $1bn for harming children with Facebook and Instagram | The Independent — independent.co.uk
- Meta ordered to pay $567M to address kids’ mental health online — nbcnews.com
- Meta to pay into $567 million fund after child harms case New Mexico — cnbc.com
- Meta told to pay another $567m in New Mexico child safety lawsuit — bbc.com
