New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567M more, total $942M

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A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million fine on top of a previous $375 million penalty issued in March, bringing the company’s total court-ordered penalties in the state’s social media harms and addiction case to $942 million. The ruling represents one of the largest financial penalties ever imposed on a social media company for child safety violations and includes mandatory platform changes that could reshape how young users interact with Meta’s services in New Mexico.

Court-Ordered Platform Changes for Young Users

Beyond the financial penalty, the court ordered platform-level changes inside New Mexico that directly affect how minors use Meta’s platforms. Like counts must be removed or restricted to users under 18 only with parental or guardian approval, a measure designed to reduce the social comparison and validation-seeking behavior that researchers have linked to mental health issues in young people. Push notifications to minors must be paused between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., addressing concerns about sleep disruption and constant connectivity. Perhaps most significantly, usage by underage users must be capped at 90 hours per month, which works out to roughly three hours per day. These restrictions represent some of the most aggressive court-mandated controls on social media use by minors in the United States.

What the Court Found and Why This Matters

The order stated that “significant numbers of people in New Mexico experience harm from Meta’s products due to risks of sexual exploitation, interference with education, and adverse mental health outcomes.” This language reflects growing concerns among parents, educators, and mental health professionals about the impact of social media on young people’s development and wellbeing. For users of Meta’s platforms including Facebook and Instagram, this case signals that courts are willing to impose substantial penalties and operational changes when companies are found to have failed in protecting minors. State Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated that “for years, Meta knew its platforms were harming New Mexico’s kids” and chose “engagement and profit over their safety.”

Meta’s Response and Broader Legal Challenges

Meta has announced it will appeal the decision. Spokesperson Andy Stone said in an emailed statement: “We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts.” The company’s legal challenges extend beyond New Mexico, as Meta faces additional active cases including a consolidated joint lawsuit brought by 33 states in an Oakland federal court. These parallel cases suggest that the New Mexico ruling could be a preview of similar actions in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to nationwide changes in how social media platforms operate for young users.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Meta being ordered to pay in total in New Mexico?

Meta has been ordered to pay a total of $942 million in the New Mexico social media harms and addiction case. This includes the $567 million fine ordered on Thursday and the $375 million penalty levied in March.

What specific changes must Meta make for young users in New Mexico?

Meta must remove or restrict like counts to users under 18 unless they have parental or guardian approval, pause push notifications to minors between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and cap usage by underage users at 90 hours per month, which is roughly three hours per day.

Is Meta facing similar lawsuits in other states?

Yes, Meta faces additional active cases including a consolidated joint lawsuit brought by 33 states in an Oakland federal court, indicating that the company’s child safety practices are under scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions.

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