As New Mexico jury finds Meta platforms harm children, social media firms await more legal decisions
Linda Singer, an attorney representing the plaintiff, left, shakes hands with attorney Kevin Huff, representing Meta, after they made closing arguments, Monday, March 23, 2026, in state court, in Santa Fe, N.M., in a trial where the social media conglomerate is accused of misleading its users about how safe its platforms are for children. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP, Pool) 2026-03-25T05:00:08Z SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The first jury verdict in a series of social media child safety trials this year is in — and it’s not looking good for Meta.
A jury in New Mexico found on Tuesday that the social media giant’s platforms are harmful to children’s mental health and imposed a $375 million penalty.
While the fine is a tiny fraction of Meta’s $201 billion revenue in 2025, the verdict illustrates a growing shift in the public’s perception of social media companies and their responsibilities in keeping young people safe on their platforms.
For years, social media companies have disputed allegations that they harm children’s mental health through deliberate design choices that addict kids to their platforms and fail to protect them from sexual predators and dangerous content.
This year, several state and federal court cases are heading to trial, and while the details may vary, they all seek to hold companies responsible for what happens on their platforms.
The lawsuits have come from school districts, local, state and the federal government as well as thousands of families.
The courtroom showdowns are the culmination of years of scrutiny of the platforms over child safety, and whether deliberate design choices make them addictive and serve up content that leads to depression, eating disorders or suicide.
The outcomes could challenge the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.
They could also be costly in the form of legal fees and settlements.
And they could force the companies to change how they operate, potentially losing users and advertising dollars.
Here’s a look at the major social media harms cases in the United States.
New Mexico jury fines Meta $375 million A team led by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who sued Meta in 2023 , built their case by posing as children on social media, then documenting sexual solicitations they received as well as Meta’s response.
Torrez wants Meta to implement mor
原文链接: AP News