Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, must pay $375 million.
Recently, a New Mexico jury found that the company misled users about children’s online safety.
Meta Faces Major Penalty
Consequently, the state’s Attorney General accused Meta of ignoring serious risks of sexual exploitation.
To investigate, officials created fake accounts posing as children under 14, quickly receiving sexual content.
Subsequently, authorities charged several adults, exposing major weaknesses in Meta’s content moderation systems.
Therefore, the jury ruled that Meta engaged in unfair and deceptive practices under state law.
Attorney General, Raúl Torrez, celebrated the verdict as historic and a victory for every child.
He emphasised that companies cannot prioritise profits while ignoring children’s safety on digital platforms.
Safety Failures Revealed
Meanwhile, Meta rejected the verdict, claiming it actively removes harmful content and stops bad actors.
The lawsuit further accused Meta of designing features, like infinite scroll, to encourage addictive behaviour.
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Internal documents revealed executives knew about exploitation and mental health risks yet continued promoting engagement.
Moreover, the jury determined Meta committed 75,000 violations of state law, awarding $5,000 per violation.
Global Shift In Regulation
This ruling arrives amid growing global efforts to regulate social media and protect minors online.
For example, Australia bans social media for children under 16, while Denmark restricts children under 15.
Similarly, Indonesia and Nigeria plan age limits to strengthen online safety for younger users.
Consequently, policymakers worldwide increasingly respond to children’s mental health, online exploitation, and addictive behaviours.
In summary, the New Mexico case sets a powerful precedent, holding Big Tech accountable for safety failures.
Ultimately, Meta’s $375 million penalty may mark the start of stricter enforcement and global regulatory change.
