Meta has been ordered to pay another $567 million in New Mexico’s child safety case, pushing the company’s total financial penalties to $942 million. The latest ruling found that its social media platforms were a “significant contributing cause” of a teen mental health crisis affecting public health and safety across the state.
The decision, published Thursday by the Santa Fe district court, marks the second phase of the state’s landmark case against the technology giant. It also raises the consequences well beyond a symbolic warning, with the combined amount now approaching $1 billion.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez framed the ruling as a measure of accountability for families concerned about the effects of social media on young people.
“This case has always been about protecting children, standing up for families, and making sure that one of the world’s largest technology companies cannot profit from practices that endanger young people without consequence,” Torrez said in a statement.
He called the decision “a victory for every parent who has worried about what social media is doing to their child and every child who deserves to grow up safer online.”
How will the $567 million be used?
The new payment will be placed into an abatement fund intended to address harm linked to Meta’s platforms. According to the order, the money will support:
- Public awareness and prevention programs
- Screening services
- Treatment for people harmed by the company’s platforms
The fund is separate from the $375 million in civil penalties imposed during the first phase of the case. Together, the two orders bring Meta’s total liability in the New Mexico proceedings to $942 million.
The focus on prevention and treatment gives the ruling a practical dimension for families. Rather than stopping at a penalty paid to the state, the court directed the larger second-phase award toward services designed to reduce harm and help those already affected.
Why does Meta plan to appeal?
Meta rejected the court’s findings and said it will challenge the ruling. In a statement shared by company spokesperson Andy Stone, Meta argued that the case misrepresented its safety record and the work it does to protect younger users.
“We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and have been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors and harmful content,” the company said. “We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts.”
The planned appeal means the legal dispute is not over, despite the size of the latest order. For now, however, the New Mexico ruling places a substantial financial figure on concerns parents, public officials, and health advocates have raised about social platforms and teen well-being.
