New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- A New Mexico jury found Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed knowledge about child sexual exploitation on its platforms, violating the state’s Unfair Practices Act and engaging in “unconscionable” trade practices.
- The jury identified thousands of violations, assigning a penalty totaling $375 million, although this amount is less than prosecutors sought; Meta plans to appeal the verdict.
- The trial’s next phase in May will determine if Meta’s platforms created a public nuisance and whether the company must fund public programs to address the harms caused.
- This case is among the first in a wave of lawsuits by over 40 state attorneys general accusing Meta of contributing to a youth mental health crisis through addictive platform features.
- Evidence presented included internal Meta documents, whistleblower testimony, and investigations showing Meta prioritized engagement over child safety, despite public claims to the contrary.
