SANTA FE, N.M. — Meta Platforms has been ordered to pay a total of $942 million by a New Mexico state court over claims that its Facebook and Instagram platforms harmed children, including a $567 million award imposed this week in the second phase of the case.
The latest ruling, issued on Aug. 6 by District Judge Bryan Biedscheid, adds to a $375 million civil-penalty verdict returned by a jury in March. The combined amount makes the New Mexico case one of the largest state-level financial judgments against a social media company over alleged harm to young users.
The New Mexico attorney general's office accused Meta of misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and failing to adequately address risks including child sexual exploitation and harmful effects on young people's mental health. The jury previously found Meta liable under the state's Unfair Practices Act and imposed the maximum $5,000 penalty for each established violation.
The second phase of the case focused on whether Meta's platforms constituted a public nuisance and what additional remedies should be imposed. The court ordered $567 million to be directed to an abatement fund for measures addressing harms to young people. About $420 million is designated for clinical and behavioral health programs, according to reports on the ruling.
The judge also ordered changes to Meta's services in New Mexico, including stronger age-verification measures and restrictions affecting minors. The measures include limiting use by users under 18, restricting certain notifications and interactions, and imposing safeguards intended to prevent adults from contacting minors who are not connected to them.
Meta has said it plans to appeal the ruling and has disputed the state's characterization of its products and safety practices. The company has maintained that it works to protect young users and remove harmful material from its platforms.
The New Mexico judgment comes as Meta faces broader litigation from U.S. states, families and other plaintiffs over allegations that its platforms were designed in ways that could encourage compulsive use and expose children to harmful content. Separately, California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are pursuing claims in federal court, with Meta saying the states have calculated potential penalties of about $1.4 trillion if they prevail. Those claims remain unresolved.
The New Mexico case remains subject to Meta's planned appeal, while the court's financial judgment and platform requirements are the latest confirmed developments in the state's litigation against the company.
