tech
New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567m over harms to children’s mental health
Ruling comes as part of second phase of landmark trial that found social media company enabled harm against users
TL;DR
- Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico for harms to children's mental health.
- This ruling is part of the second phase of a trial where Meta was previously fined $375 million.
- The total amount Meta is responsible for now stands at $942 million.
- $420 million of the new payment will fund treatment services for young people in New Mexico.
- The remaining funds will support awareness, prevention, and screening services over five years.
- The court also mandated changes to Facebook and Instagram, including improved age verification tools and default privacy settings.
- Meta must develop an under-13 prediction model and partner with schools for reporting.
- Meta disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal.