A New Mexico jury on March 25, 2026, ordered social media giant Meta Platforms to pay $375 million after finding the company liable for harming children’s safety and mental health on its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The verdict, delivered after a six‑week trial, marked the first time a U.S. state successfully held the company accountable under state consumer protection law.
State prosecutors argued that Meta knowingly failed to protect minors from sexual exploitation and harmful content while misleading users about the safety of its services. Jurors heard testimony from dozens of witnesses, including former employees, and reviewed internal documents detailing safety shortcomings.
Meta said it “respectfully disagrees” with the ruling and plans to appeal, asserting ongoing efforts to improve child safety on its platforms. The case is part of a wave of lawsuits targeting major tech firms over alleged youth harm. The outcome could influence similar legal battles in other states as regulators and plaintiffs seek greater accountability from social media companies.
