Meta Big Tech Bill Arrives, $567 Million for Its Child Safety Record

A US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million (£421 million) over allegations that the company failed to adequately warn the public about the dangers its social media platforms posed to children. The ruling by Judge Bryan Biedscheid marks the largest financial penalty Meta has faced over child-safety issues. The latest amount comes on top of the $375 million the company was previously ordered to pay in the same case, bringing the total financial penalty to $942 million. Judge Biedscheid described Meta as a public nuisance, comparing the companys platforms to a factory whose harmful effects spread beyond its own operations. He said the psychological harm experienced by children and the exploitation of minors represented a form of “pollution” that needed to be addressed. The judge ordered Meta to place the new $567 million payment into a fund designed to reduce and address the alleged harms. Meta, which operates Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads, rejected the ruling and said it would appeal. We disagree with the ruling and will appeal, a Meta spokesperson said, adding that the company works to keep people safe and has been transparent about the challenges involved in identifying and removing harmful content and bad actors. Meta also defended its record on protecting teenagers and said it would continue to challenge claims that it believes misrepresent the facts. Case Began With 2023 Lawsuit The New Mexico case dates back to a 2023 lawsuit filed by attorneys representing the state. They argued that Meta platforms exposed children to harmful material and inappropriate contacts and that the company should be held responsible for the risks posed by its services. During the first phase of the trial, Meta was found to have repeatedly violated New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act. The court found that its recommendation systems could direct young users towards harmful content and potentially dangerous contacts. Recommendation algorithms are systems used by social media platforms to automatically select and recommend content based on a user's activity and interests. In the latest phase of the case, Judge Biedscheid concluded that the alleged harms associated with Meta platforms had reached the level of a “public nuisance” — a legal concept generally involving conditions that negatively affect the wider public. The judge said the effects of the alleged harm did not remain confined to Meta platforms and could create broader burdens for children, families, schools and public services. Money to Fund Treatment and Prevention Under the court order, a significant portion of the $567 million will be directed towards addressing the alleged harms. Around $420 million is earmarked for treatment and behavioural-health programmes and professionals dealing with the effects of social media-related harms. Additional funding will support awareness and prevention efforts, including training for teachers and health professionals. The judge also imposed several measures aimed at strengthening protections for users under 18. Among the requirements are restrictions designed to prevent adult accounts from being recommended to minors and to prevent adults from directly messaging underage users. The order also includes restrictions concerning the exchange of inappropriate material involving minors and stronger penalties for adults involved in child exploitation. Meta was further ordered to: Remove like counts for users under 18. Restrict push notifications to young users during overnight hours and during typical school hours on school days. Introduce a mandatory usage limit of 90 cumulative hours per month across Instagram and Facebook for users covered by the order. Growing Legal Pressure on Meta The New Mexico decision adds to mounting legal pressure on Meta over the safety and privacy of young users. The company is facing thousands of lawsuits in the US involving allegations concerning the impact of its platforms on children and teenagers. Meta has also faced similar legal action in other states, including California. The New Mexico case is particularly significant because it represents one of the strongest legal challenges yet to the company's approach to child safety, with the court not only imposing a substantial financial penalty but also ordering specific changes to how its platforms operate for younger users. Meta has said it will appeal the decision, meaning the legal battle is likely to continue.