New Mexico Jury Finds Meta Liable for Endangering Children

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A New Mexico jury has found Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators on its platforms. The state accused Meta of failing to protect minors from sexual abuse, online solicitation, and human trafficking, and the jury awarded $375 million in damages, though the state had sought $2.2 billion. This is one of the first cases involving social media platforms and child safety to produce a jury verdict.

Why it matters

The verdict is a significant victory for child safety advocates and could set a precedent for other lawsuits against social media companies for harms caused to minors on their platforms. It highlights the ongoing debate over the responsibility of tech companies to protect vulnerable users, especially children, from the dangers of social media.

The details

The six-week trial heard testimony from 40 witnesses, including former Meta employees who turned whistleblowers. Prosecutors alleged that Meta's algorithms directed adult users toward content posted by teenage users, while the company concealed internal findings about the risks to young people. The jury found that Meta violated the state's Unfair Practices Act by misleading consumers about the safety of its products for children.

• The jury reached its verdict on March 25, 2026, following roughly a day of deliberations.
• A second phase of proceedings is scheduled to begin on May 4, 2026, when a judge will hear the state's claim that Meta should be ordered to pay additional penalties and make specific changes to its platforms and company operations.

What’s next

A second phase of proceedings is scheduled to begin on May 4, 2026, when a judge will hear the state's claim that Meta should be ordered to pay additional penalties and make specific changes to its platforms and company operations.