Meta ordered to pay $567 million

JUST IN: Meta has been ordered to pay $567 million into a New Mexico fund aimed at tackling the youth mental health crisis, on top of the $375 million in damages it was already ordered to pay.

The latest ruling follows a March jury verdict that found Meta liable on all counts in a child safety case. Jurors concluded the company engaged in “unfair and deceptive” and “unconscionable” trade practices, prompting the initial damages award.

In Thursday’s ruling, the judge compared Meta’s impact to that of polluting factories, saying the company should contribute to addressing the harm. The lawsuit, filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez in 2023, accused Meta of allowing Facebook and Instagram to become a “breeding ground” for child predators allegations the company has denied.

As concerns over children’s online safety continue to grow, the spotlight is once again on the responsibility of social media platforms.

Parents, know what platforms your children are using and stay involved in their digital lives.