JUST IN: Court Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million Over Child Harm

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, to pay $567 million to fund services aimed at addressing harms to young people stemming from its platforms. The ruling includes $420 million for treatment services, with the remainder allocated to awareness, prevention, and screening over five years. This order follows a previous jury decision in March that found Meta liable for knowingly harming children’s mental health and concealing information about child sexual exploitation.

• Meta ordered to pay $567 million to a fund for child harm.
• New Mexico Judge Bryan Biedscheid called Meta a “public nuisance” and compared it to air pollution.
• The ruling acknowledges Meta’s platforms as a significant contributor to the youth mental health crisis in New Mexico.
• Of the $567 million, $420 million will be used for treatment services for young people.
• The remaining funds will support awareness, prevention, and screening services over the next five years.
• A previous jury in March ordered $375 million in civil penalties against Meta.
• In a separate case, Meta and YouTube were found liable for a teen’s mental health issues, resulting in a $3 million award.
• Legal experts compare the decision against Meta to past “Big Tobacco” settlements.