Court orders Meta to pay $567 million to address kids’ mental health and safety on its platforms

A New Mexico state court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, to pay $567 million and alter how its platforms function for young users. The ruling, issued late Thursday by Judge Bryan Biedscheid, stems from the second phase of a landmark trial that the social media giant lost in March.

The financial penalty is designated to address youth mental health concerns and harms experienced by young people on Meta's platforms within the state. Additionally, the court mandates operational changes to how these services function for minors, following findings that the company is to blame for harming children and failing to protect them from sexual exploitation.