A New Mexico jury delivered a landmark verdict on Tuesday, finding social media giant Meta Platforms Inc. liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators and other dangers on its platforms. The verdict came after approximately one day of deliberations following a six-week trial in Santa Fe, where the state accused Meta of failing to protect minors from sexual abuse, online solicitation, and human trafficking.
Historic Verdict in Child Safety Case
This case represents one of the first jury verdicts involving social media platforms and child safety issues in the United States. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, who filed the lawsuit in 2023 against Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, hailed the decision as a "historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta's choice to put profits over kids' safety."
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Meta executives were aware their products harmed children but disregarded warnings from employees and misled the public about what they knew. The jury heard testimony from 40 witnesses, including former employees turned whistleblowers, and reviewed hundreds of documents, reports, and emails.
Damages Awarded and Legal Proceedings
While New Mexico had sought the maximum $2.2 billion in damages, the jury awarded $375 million after finding Meta violated the state's Unfair Practices Act by misleading consumers about the safety of its products for children. A second phase of proceedings is scheduled to begin on May 4, when a judge will hear the state's claim that Meta should pay additional penalties and make specific changes to its platforms and company operations.
Meta has announced it will challenge the decision. "We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal," a company spokesperson stated. "We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content."
Broader Implications for Social Media Industry
This case comes as social media companies face increasing scrutiny over their impact on youth mental health and safety. A separate jury in California is currently weighing whether Meta and YouTube should be held liable for harms caused to children on their platforms, including allegations that their products are addictive. That case is considered a bellwether that could influence thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies across the United States.
During closing arguments in the New Mexico trial, prosecution attorney Linda Singer told jurors that Meta's algorithms had directed adults toward content posted by teenage users while the company concealed internal findings about the risks to young people. The verdict marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles over social media responsibility and child protection in the digital age.
