New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $567 million for youth mental-health harms

A Santa Fe County District Court judge ruled Thursday that Meta Platforms Inc. deliberately used design elements such as endless scrolling, autoplay, notifications and content recommendations to keep teenagers on Facebook and Instagram, contributing to higher rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders and suicide risk among New Mexico youth. The court classified the conduct as a public nuisance and ordered Meta to pay $567 million into an abatement fund for mental-health treatment, screening, prevention, referrals and program oversight.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the decision marks a significant step toward holding large technology firms accountable for harms to children. > "[Meta] knew about these harms, they weren't forthcoming about the danger, they weren't honest with policymakers, parents and families," Torrez told reporters.

Meta disputed the ruling and announced plans to appeal. In a statement, a company spokesperson said the firm works to keep users safe, has been transparent about challenges in removing harmful content, and remains confident in its record of protecting teens online.

The lawsuit, filed in December 2023, follows a December jury verdict that found Meta violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act, imposing a $375 million civil penalty. The current order does not require shutting down the platforms but mandates financial contributions to address the identified harms. Meta also faces a separate federal multi-district case in Oakland, California, involving 29 states alleging similar claims.