Meta found liable in New Mexico child safety trial

A New Mexico jury found Meta liable Tuesday for compromising children's safety online, ordering the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to pay $375 million in damages for violating the state's Unfair Practices Act. The verdict marks a significant legal defeat for Meta, which has faced mounting pressure from regulators and advocacy groups over its platforms' effects on young users, including concerns about addictive design features and inadequate protections against exploitation. The $375 million penalty represents the first major jury verdict against Meta in a child safety case and could expose the company to additional liability from other states pursuing similar claims. The ruling underscores growing legal jeopardy for Big Tech companies as state attorneys general increasingly bring cases alleging that social media platforms knowingly harm minors while prioritizing engagement and profit.